Gulf Breeze drainage projects complete

Construction of two large-scale drainage retrofit projects in Settlers Colony and Villa Venyce areas of Gulf Breeze are now complete. Collectively, these projects increased flood protection for over 300 homes through the installation of improved stormwater collection and conveyance systems in the area via the construction of storm inlets and pipes, ditches and an outfall canal to discharge into the Santa Rosa Sound. View a map of the project locations here.

One of these flood-protection projects also included the installation of eight pollutant removal structures for the preservation of quality of the stormwater runoff discharging into the Santa Rosa Sound, and therefore providing a net water quality benefit. The total construction cost of these projects was $8.1 million of which 70 percent was funded through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The remainder of construction costs, approximately $2.4 million, was funded with the Local Option Sales Tax.

“We have seen in previous disasters how devastating flooding can be for our community,” said Commission Vice-Chairman Lane Lynchard, District 5. “These neighborhoods are safer and their homes are better protected because of this project.”

Santa Rosa County has completed twelve large-scale drainage retrofit projects utilizing HMGP funding over the past 10 years investing nearly $20 million to improve drainage countywide. Santa Rosa County is currently the third highest ranked county in the state of Florida to have secured Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for drainage improvements. For more information, contact Sheila Fitzgerald 850-981-2016.

#     #     #