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

• 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.