By DOTTY NIST
A county commission-appointed panel’s months’-long process of reviewing applications for RESTORE Act direct funding concluded late in 2015 with a list of projects and rankings. It will now be the responsibility of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to select the project or projects to receive the $5.7 million available directly to Walton County through the RESTORE Act.
In presenting Walton County’s Local RESTORE Act Committee’s list of projects and rankings to the BCC on Jan. 8, Walton County Administrator Larry Jones advised county commissioners that 42 projects had been submitted, the total cost of which came to over $53.8 million. He asked for the officials’ input on project selections by the Jan. 12 BCC regular meeting.
“We can’t do all of them,” Jones said of the projects at that time.
Approved by Congress in 2012, the RESTORE Act was aimed at helping Gulf Coast states recover from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Penalties assessed from companies responsible for the disaster are to provide most of the funds coming to the affected areas through the RESTORE Act.
Pot 1, the “pot of money” going directly to the county as a result of the RESTORE Act, is one of three such pots created by the legislation. A requirement for receipt of these funds was the establishment of the Local RESTORE Act Committee (LRAC) to provide recommendations to the BCC.
Project criteria set up to guide the LRAC were the result of requirements of the legislation, along with evaluation criteria adopted by the BCC in May 2013. Project goals established consisted of restoration, protection and conservation of habitat, restoration of water quality, replenishment and protection of coastal and marine resources, enhancement of community resilience, and restoration and revitalization of the county’s economy.
Also in place were priorities established by the BCC for projects. These included: economic benefit, environmental benefit, ability to leverage other funding sources, long-term implications (value or cost), Walton County Comprehensive Plan projects, shovel readiness, area of impact, funding amount requested, and comprehensive plan compliance. The latter was a requirement for project proposals to proceed.
Anyone was allowed to submit an application to have a project considered, and applications were taken from April 1 through July 31, 2015. The LRAC used a matrix at they had developed for ranking of projects.
Top-ranked on the project list submitted to the BCC are three artificial reef projects proposed by Walton County and one such project proposed by South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA). Costs for these projects range from $80,000 to $2.7 million.
There is a $120,000 proposal by the city of Freeport for the development of a stormwater master plan and capital improvement strategic plan update for the city. Freeport is also proposing a $125,000 project to identify water quality impairments for LaGrange Bayou, Black Creek and Choctawhatchee Bay.
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance is proposing a $100,000 student-led salt marsh vegetation and dune habitat restoration effort.
The long-discussed Walton County Marine Enhancement Center (fish hatchery and plant nursery) is highly ranked on the list, but the $13.7 million price tag for the facility would appear to be problematic with only $5.7 million in funding available.
There is a proposal for an ecological assessment of the coastal dune lakes at a cost of $95,075. Also proposed is work to remove additional culverts from under CR-30A in the area of coastal dune lakes and replace them with bridges. Another application proposes funding for removal of exotic and invasive plants from the dune lakes.
There are applications on behalf of the Muscogee Nation, including a $715,689 micro farm and land development project, along with a $2.6 million community/visitor center and co-housing neighborhood. The former project would create an agricultural tourism business producing fish, vegetables, blueberries and “bob white” fowl, employing full-time employees and also building a wetlands walkway. This project received many compliments from LRAC members, and it was noted in committee minutes that “a lot of love went into it.” The community visitor center would also serve as an archeological research station and artifacts museum in connection with Muscogee Nation’s heritage. The co-housing center would be a tribal-based community that would include guest accommodations.
On the list are numerous proposals by Walton County for stormwater improvement projects. Such projects have been a priority for Walton County in recent years due to flooding problems.
A $1.3 million intermodal transportation innovation program is proposed for CR-30A. This would include a number of facilities to create solutions to traffic and parking problems on this highly-traveled county road.
The purchase of the “Angelo’s” beachfront property in the Seagrove area is proposed for preservation and public recreation at a cost of over $5.9 million. The applicant is Brian Kellenberger, beach operations director for the Walton County Tourist Development Council.
On property already under county ownership at the north end of CR-283, there is an application submitted by Brad Alford of the county Facilities and Parks staff for a $45,200 canoe and boat launch. Another application submitted by Alford is for a 1.43-mile, $449,069, multi-use path along CR-395 North between U.S. 98 and the bay. It is noted that the path would be utilized by bicyclists and pedestrians going to Eden Gardens State Park or to the bay. Alford submitted, as well, an application for a paddle trail with camping locations along the Choctawhatchee River. This would be a $348,370 project.
An organization known as South Walton Ecological and Educational Tours Sailing Company (S.W.E.E.T. for short) is proposing a educational “sea school” and service projects conducted throughout the Choctawhatchee Bay from a sailing catamaran at a cost of $97,500.
The city of DeFuniak Springs is requesting a $1.1 million wastewater collection system replacement and rehabilitation project aimed at improving groundwater quality in the DeFuniak Springs area. Also proposed is a $2.9+ million project to extend the city’s wastewater system to Rock Hill Road by adding a lift station and force main along U.S. 331.
A $74,900 update to the South Walton Conservation and Development Plan (SWCDP) is proposed. The plan was created in the mid-1990s to guide future development south of the bay. The update would include public meetings and utilize nationally-recognized planners and architects. Project applicant is listed as Ryan Smart.
A $441,600 marine response boat is requested for use by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer organization supporting the mission of the Coast Guard.
A $57,161 application by the Florida Solar Energy Center would promote energy efficiency in buildings, along with renewables, and provide an electric vehicle charging station.
A $95,801 “Gateway Project” is proposed to establish an Institute for the Preservation and Protection of the Gulf affiliated with the State of Florida University system.
A $91,875 project involving construction of seawalls for three ponds surrounding Laurel Grove subdivision in Miramar Beach is also proposed. It is noted that the community has had major issues with flooding and erosion.
A request for $100,000 in funding was made by the Early Childhood Coalition in connection with subsidized child care for children from economically-challenged working families in Walton County. The coalition reports to the Department of Education.
Rounding off the list of application is a $475,000 Mobile STEM Lab that would provide educational opportunities to encourage children to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math careers. The Gulf Coast Energy Network is applicant.
Projects selected by the commissioners are to be included in a multi-year plan required by the Department of Treasury in connection with RESTORE Act funding.
Walton County Public Information Manager Louis Svehla commented on Jan. 4 that he had been told that an item concerning the commissioners’ selection of projects would be on the agenda for the Jan. 12 BCC regular meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the South Walton Annex.