Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay and their associated waterways provide boating, fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreational and economic opportunities for citizens and visitors of Florida. Mismanagement of Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay may exacerbate flooding and property loss, negatively impact water quality and estuarine habitat, negatively affect the local economy, and threaten the health, safety and welfare of Florida’s citizens and visitors.
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has received funding to “stand up” and establish an Estuary Program in Northwest Florida in order to coordinate management and improvement of the water bodies. The Bay Area Resource Council (BARC) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1987 with elected officials from five local governments (Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, City of Pensacola, City of Gulf Breeze, and City of Milton). The BARC has the purpose of improving Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay through community coordination and participation from stakeholders including federal, state and local governments, citizens, academia, and the private sector. The BARC has the organizational structure, history and experience with local issues pertaining to Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay to be the entity for the Pensacola Bay and Perdido Bay Estuary Programs.