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County Administrator's Report 13. 16.

BCC Regular Meeting

Technical/Public Service Consent

Meeting Date:	06/26/2014
Issue: Resolution Supporting Reuse of Existing Bridge Materials as Artificial Reefs and Incorporation of Designated Areas for Recreational Fishing
From:	Keith Wilkins
Department:	Community & Environment
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Resolution Supporting the Reuse of Existing Bridge Materials as Artificial Reefs and the Incorporation of Designated Areas for Recreational Fishing as Part of the New Pensacola Bay Bridge - Keith Wilkins, Community & Environment Department Director

That the Board adopt and authorize the Chairman to sign the Resolution supporting the reuse of existing bridge materials as artificial reefs and the incorporation of designated areas for recreational fishing as part of the new Pensacola Bay Bridge.

BACKGROUND:

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is proceeding with planning for the replacement of the US Highway 98 “Pensacola Bay Bridge” between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. After Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Escambia County requested FDOT incorporate deployment of the hurricane-damaged Interstate 10 bridge as artificial reefs within the scope of work and solicitation. Escambia County provided the permitted artificial reef site for the project, and assisted FDOT’s contractor in the reefing of the concrete bridge materials. Escambia County Marine Resources Division has obtained new artificial reef sites within Florida “State Waters” (within nine miles from shore) and is prepared to assist the State’s contractor with the deployment of the reef materials.

Because the existing bridge must be removed to make room for the new bridge, the existing bridge cannot remain for use as a recreational fishing platform. If “multi-use” lanes are constructed on the north-bound and south-bound lanes, this presents the opportunity to incorporate designated areas for recreational fishing.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

N/A

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

The Resolution was reviewed and approved as to form and legal sufficiency by Assistant County Attorney, Kristin Hual.

PERSONNEL:

N/A

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

That the Clerk shall forward a copy of this Resolution to Representatives Clay Ingram, Walter Bryan Hill, and Will Weatherford; Senators Greg Evers and Don Gaetz; Ananth Prasad, P.E., Secretary Of Transportation, FDOT; and James T. Barfield, P.E, District Three Secretary, FDOT.

Attachments
Resolution-Reuse Existing Bridge Material-Artificial Reef