FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 25, 2013
GOV. SCOTT ANNOUNCES $3 MILLION COMMITMENT FOR WATER PROJECTS IN APALACHICOLA
~Highlights Collaboration throughout State Government to Restore Fisheries and Grow Jobs~
APALACHICOLA –Today, Governor Rick Scott was joined
by Senator Bill Montford and Representative Halsey Beshears to announce that
the Florida Families First Budget invests $3 million in water projects
for Apalachicola to enhance the community’s infrastructure while improving
water quality in the bay. The Governor also highlighted current activities to
assess and improve the area’s fisheries, and efforts to improve the economic
conditions of the region. The Governor was also joined by Department of
Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard, Executive Director of the
Northwest Florida Water Management District Jon Steverson, Executive Director
of the Department of Economic Opportunity Jesse Panuccio and Executive Director
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Nick Wiley.
Governor
Scott said, “When one community hurts in Florida, we all come together to help
– and that’s why the Florida Families First Budget makes
important investments in this community. Our budget provides a targeted
investment of $3 million for Apalachicola water quality improvement projects,
which will provide this area with cleaner water to create healthier
fisheries.
The
Northwest Florida Water Management District will prioritize critical projects
that address storm water needs, which will enhance area infrastructure and
improve the quality of water that enters the bay. The district will have the
flexibility needed to retrofit storm water infrastructure to keep storm water
from impacting the local fisheries. These initiatives will be crucial for
the long-term restoration and sustainability of water resources in Apalachicola
Bay, and will work to clean this ecosystem so it provides quality water for
oysters.
Included
in the $3 million is up to $500,000, to help fund an analysis of the river
flows necessary to maintain estuarine resources.
Senator
Bill Montford said, “We’re working hard to get this community back up on its
feet, and I applaud the Governor for making critical investments in the area to
improve the fisheries and infrastructure. We’ll continue to find ways to
protect the generations of families who rely on this bay and the rivers for
their livelihoods.”
Franklin
County Commissioner Pinki Jackel said, “The Governor and his agencies have been
very engaged in the needs of this community – and I’ll continue working to
improve the fisheries and support more job growth for area families.”
“Governor
Scott recognizes the critical importance of Apalachicola Bay and River as an
ecological treasure, an economic driver and a way of life not just for Franklin
County residents but for the entire state of Florida,” said DEP Secretary
Herschel T. Vinyard, Jr. “The Governor’s Florida Families First budget
illustrates his commitment to improving water quality to restore this vital
ecosystem.”
“The
Scott administration recognizes the importance of this essential industry to
our state and the Department of Economic Opportunity will be working to sustain
and diversify this community as a vibrant center of business and continue
to be a provider of Florida Fresh seafood for generations to come,” said DEO
Executive Director Jesse Panuccio.
“I
applaud the Governor’s efforts to provide continued assistance to the oyster
producing industry in the Apalachicola area,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) Executive Director Nick Wiley. “FWC remains
committed to the people of this community as we partner to find solutions to
restore the oyster production for which Apalachicola is so well known.”
Current
Activities in Franklin County
Currently,
the regional workforce board, Franklin County, the Department of Agriculture
and Fish And Wildlife Commission are working together to move oysters from poor
growing areas to other sites, where the oysters can grow to a good size for
oystermen to harvest. Today, there are oysters developing in areas of poor
water quality, which impacts the growth of the oyster – and impacts the pocket
books of oystermen who are prohibited from selling oysters from these
identified reefs. In a process known as “relaying,” oysters that are
developing in poor condition areas are moved to areas with better water
quality. From these areas, healthy oysters can develop into something that
oystermen can sell, which is great news for families in the area.
Department
of Economic Opportunity is coordinating with Franklin County in depositing
processed oyster shell on depleted oyster reefs and bay bottom areas to provide
a base for oyster larvae to attach and grow. The benefits of this project
provide short term and long term gains to families in the area. First, the
partnership with Department Of Economic Opportunity and the county will employ
individuals to deposit the oyster shells, providing job opportunities to area
families. Second, the shells will provide a great habitat for oysters to attach
to and grow in, which benefits the oyster industry here as a whole.
The
Fish and Wildlife Commission has been working with the University of Florida to
monitor the Big Bend area outside of Apalachicola, which may provide scientists
with greater opportunities to better understand the potential of the oyster
fisheries. Also, the University of Florida Oyster Recovery Team is studying the
decline of oysters in Apalachicola Bay to create short-term and long-term
strategies for restoring oyster populations – and their first strategy report
is expected this Spring.
The
Department of Economic Opportunity is working with the county to develop
strategies for the regional economy to ensure the community remains whole.
Governor
Scott said, “Let me be clear, our number one goal is restore these fisheries so
that generations of families who have relied on the waters of Apalachicola can
continue to do so. The Department Of Economic Opportunity is working with
Franklin County to complement and enhance the local economy, so families have
access to good jobs.”
Through
the work, the regional economy is being assessed to find additional
opportunities that exist for businesses and families in Apalachicola and what
can be done to provide families with a long-term sustainable strategy to ensure
families can put food on the table.
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