Florida Trustee Implementation Group Proposes Third Phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project The Florida Trustee Implementation Group released a draft restoration plan proposing the third phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project for public ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Division of Water Restoration Assistance, Deepwater Horizon Program announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIMES: Thursday, July 18, 2019, 5:30 p.m.(CT); Open House; 6:00 p.m.(CT) Public Meeting

PLACE: Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, 8638 Heron Court, Navarre, FL 32566

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Florida Trustee Implementation Group Proposes Third Phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group released a draft restoration plan proposing the third phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project for public review and comment. The Draft Phase V.3 Restoration Plan and Supplemental Environmental Assessment (Draft Phase V.3 Plan) proposes one additional recreational use project: the acquisition of a coastal parcel of land, the Navarre Beach Marine Park Addition. The parcel is an inholding within the existing Navarre Beach Marine Park property and acquisition would enhance the public’s access to the surrounding natural resources and increase recreational opportunities. The public comment period is open until July 22, 2019, and we’re holding a public meeting on the draft plan on July 18.

This draft restoration plan is consistent with the Trustees’ programmatic restoration plan and supplements the first and second phases of the Florida Coastal Access Project. The first phase of the project, described in the Phase V Early Restoration Plan, included acquisition and/or enhancement of four coastal parcels, and the second phase, described in the Phase V.2 Restoration Plan, included acquisition and enhancement of recreational amenities at one coastal parcel in the Florida Panhandle. The Florida Coastal Access Project addresses a portion of the lost recreational use in Florida caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Public Comment Period and Meeting

The Florida Trustee Implementation Group is seeking public comment on this draft restoration plan until July 22, 2019 and will hold a public meeting to present the plan and receive comments on July 18. The meeting will include an open house during which Trustee representatives can answer questions about the proposal. This will be followed by a formal public meeting, during which members of the public are invited to provide oral and/or written comments on the proposed acquisition. Meeting information follows:

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Rachel Schmalfuss at [e-mail] or at [phone].

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 3 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Rachel Schmalfuss at [e-mail] or at [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

For more information, you may contact: Rachel Schmalfuss at [e-mail] or at [phone].