EPA estuary award for Escambia, Fla.

A group of Northwest Floridians, called the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Coalition, has worked to produce an application for a $2.2 million estuary program grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The group found out Aug. 31 that it had lost the competition to a group proposing to protect the Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay watersheds in Escambia County, Fla. EPA has helped fund 28 National Estuary programs, but hasn’t paid to establish a new one which 1995. The Pensacola Bay/Perdido bays award was the first of its kind in Northwest Florida, according to Jim Trifilio, Okaloosa County coastal management coordinator. Seed money for the award was provided by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council using BP RESTORE Act funds. The grant monies are to be spent on projects designed to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in the Pensacola/Perdido bays’ watersheds. (Source: NW Florida Daily News 09/01/17)