FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 2, 2016
DEEPWATER HORIZON TRUSTEES FINALIZE
FIFTH PHASE OF EARLY RESTORATION PROJECTS
~$34.4 million provided for Florida Coastal Access Project ~
The Florida Coastal Access Project will enhance and increase recreational opportunities through the acquisition and enhancement of four coastal parcels in the Florida Panhandle.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announces $34.4 million in funding for the fifth phase of early restoration projects that were selected by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Trustees. The Florida Coastal Access Project will enhance and increase recreational opportunities through the acquisition and enhancement of four coastal parcels in the Florida Panhandle.
This is the first phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project, which also includes funding for 10 years of operation and maintenance for the four coastal locations.
The Trust for Public Land is leading the acquisition efforts and managing the enhancements on behalf of DEP. Ownership of the properties will be transferred to the respective county or city. A project fact sheet is available here.
The four sites include:
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Innerarity Point in Escambia County, Fla., which includes acquiring a
3.38-acre property and building a public park on the property.
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Leonard Destin Park in Okaloosa County, Fla., which includes acquiring a 3.42-acre parcel and building a public park on the property.
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Lynn Haven Preserve and Park in Bay County, Fla., which includes acquiring a 90.7-acre tract and building a public park on the property.
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Island View Park in Franklin County, Fla., which includes constructing a public park on a 7.3-acre parcel owned by the county.
“These projects will provide additional recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to the Panhandle,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “Parks like these will benefit local communities and begin to mitigate damage Florida incurred as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.”
Infrastructure will be constructed at each location to facilitate and enhance recreational use. These enhancements could include pathways, boardwalks and docks with kayak launches, trails, picnic areas and other improvements.
Douglas Hattaway, the senior project manager with the Trust for Public Land, stated, “Creating four new parks in Panhandle communities will improve public access to Gulf Coast waterways, improve recreation in those towns and cities, and support tourism to the coast for generations to come. We are proud to be part of this historic plan for creating new parks and access to Gulf Coast waterways.”
This project is described in the Phase V Early Restoration Plan, which incorporates public comments that were received on the draft plan released last year.
The second phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project will propose acquisition of one or more additional properties in the Florida Panhandle to provide passive recreational uses and coastal access for the public, as well as 10 years of funding for operation and maintenance. This phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project will be identified by the Trustees in a future proposed restoration plan.
Copies of the plan are available at a number of public locations in area communities. Click here to view a list of public libraries where copies of the plan have been placed for public review.
More information about the first four phases of early restoration can be found at www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.
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