In 2015, the National Fish and Wildlife (NFWF) awarded Escambia County over $11 million in RESTORE funding for the construction of five projects within the Bayou Chico watershed. Funds were awarded through NFWF to improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. Projects are located in all three of the main freshwater tributaries to Bayou Chico, including a floodplain restoration/expansion project along Jackson Creek.
Meeting in regular session on July 23, 2015, the Board authorized staff to begin the process of obtaining necessary easements, parcels, and permits to complete the NFWF-funded restoration projects. In support of the floodplain project, Escambia County has, to date, acquired a total of 16 vacant parcels along Jackson Creek. Jackson Creek floodplain expansion will be accomplished, in part, by the removal of existing cul-de-sacs at the south ends of Citrus Street, Beth Circle, and Danbury Circle. The floodplain project, currently managed by the Natural Resources Management Department, will also allow for improvements to traffic flow and public safety within Wesleyan Terrace First Addition by connecting all three of the existing roadways together through an extension of Citrus Street.
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