FDEP Proposes Nine Local Projects as Part of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill NRDA Phase I

[Kurt]

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/civicalerts.aspx?AID=834

Florida DEP Proposes Nine Local Projects in Walton County as Part of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill NRDA Phase III


Announced this morning by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) at a press event in Panama City, nine projects have been proposed to be funded in Walton County as part of the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Phase III program.


The proposed projects include a Deer Lake State Park Development project, improvements to the Boardwalks and Dune Crossovers at Ed Walline, Gulfview Heights, Grayton Dunes, Dothan Beach, Palms of Dune Allen West and Bayside Ranchettes and boat ramp improvements at Choctaw Beach and Lafayette Creek.


The proposed dollar amount associated with these nine projects totals approximately $1,700,000.


Walton County District 4 Commissioner and Gulf Coast Consortium Executive Board member was pleased to receive the news. “I am excited to see the proposal of several projects specifically for Walton County as well as other regional projects benefitting our county, which will allow visitors to use our beautiful natural resources.”


In addition to the proposed local projects, Walton County would also benefit from a proposed regional Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration project that would span Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay and Escambia Counties. The cost associated with that project is $11,463,587

 

[SoWal Staff]

As reported on WZEP AM 1460:

Here is a list of what you should see as the oil spill money starts to come in. The Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustees are proposing eight recreational use projects in Walton County. As a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the public’s access to and enjoyment of their natural resources along Florida’s Panhandle was denied or severely restricted.

These eight proposed recreational use projects seek to enhance and/or increase the public’s use and/or enjoyment of those natural resources.

• The Deer Lake State Park Development project would add a paved access road, parking, picnic shelters, and a restroom.
• Ed Walline Beach Access Improvements project would replace the pavilions and restroom fixtures and upgrade all interior plumbing at the Ed Walline beach access facility.
• Gulfview Heights Beach Access Improvements project would replace restroom fixtures, update all interior plumbing, and repair all soffits on pavilions at the Gulfview Heights beach access facility.
• Grayton Dunes Beach Access Boardwalk Improvements project would replace the dune walkover allowing visitors to access the beach at the Grayton Dunes beach access facility.
• Dothan Beach Access Boardwalk Improvements project would replace the dune walkover allowing visitors to access the beach at the Dothan beach access facility.
• The proposed Walton County Boardwalks and Dune Crossovers: Palms of Dune Allen West Beach Access Improvements project would construct dune walkover, allowing visitors to access the beach at the Palm of Dune Allen West location.
• Bayside Ranchettes Park Improvements project would construct a parking area, a picnic table, a dock, and steps into the water allowing access to the bay at the Bayside Ranchettes Park.
• Walton County, Choctaw Beach Boat Ramp Improvements project would replace the boat ramp, install two boarding docks, remove existing inadequate restrooms and construct new ones, and construct a new paved and marked parking lot at the existing Choctaw Beach boat ramp.
• Walton County, Lafayette Creek Boat Dock Improvements project would expand the dock by 400 feet to accommodate larger vessels and additional vessels at the existing Lafayette Creek boat dock.