Project name: Northwest Florida Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Salvage (#5003)
Project status: In progress
Grant Administrator:
Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA)
Grantee: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Project location: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla and a portion of Jefferson County, Florida
Grant period: Jan 1, 2021 to Jan 1, 2021
Grant amount: $42,000
Land Ownership: Public/Sovereign Submerged Lands
Lat/Long: N 30.3866°/W 87.2079° to N 30.0993°/W 84.0387°
Types of Habitat: Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) and seagrass
Project leader: Eric Schneider, environmental manager
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
160 Governmental Center
Pensacola, Florida 32502
phone: (850)
595-8300 ext 1194
fax: (850) 595-8417
Species Benefiting From Restoration:
- black drum (Pogonias cromis)
- red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
- summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)
- southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)
- spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus)
- gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus)
- gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis)
- sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)
- sand seatrout (Cyanoscion arenarius)
- spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
- blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)
- stone crab (Menippe mercenaria)
Acres of Habitat To be Restored: 10+ acres
Project Summary:
This project will focus on salvaging Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation (SAV) material from permitted or exempt
marine construction projects and relocating the
material to areas where SAV has been previously
documented to exist, thereby making good use of
valuable plant material and marine sediments that
would otherwise be destroyed. The long-term goal for
this project is to produce a document/protocol that
can be utilized as a Florida panhandle specific SAV
restoration guide. The methodology of this project has
far more potential as a pilot project that could be
transferred to other areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The
elements of coordination with contractors and property
owners will enhance the public education/partnership
aspects of the project and volunteerism.
Community Involvement:
Involvement of state universities with undergraduate
and graduate level support for project monitoring and
restoration activities has been initiated. Additional
contacts with other colleges and universities, civic
groups, general public and non-profits are expected.
Future community support may lead to additional match
or funding opportunities. Potential research work with
EPA has been initiated and could benefit the SAV
salvage project on many fronts. Property owners will
be contacted to encourage their interest and
involvement.