EPA's Gulf of Mexico program helps fund Bayou Chico Water Quality project

The U.S. EPA Gulf of Mexico Program recently awarded $295,000 to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners through a cooperative agreement for the Bayou Chico Water Quality Improvements project.
 
“Escambia County appreciates the partnership with the USEPA Gulf of Mexico Program to install floating treatment wetlands in the Bayou Chico Watershed to improve water quality via nutrient uptake,” Escambia County Senior Scientist J. Taylor Kirschenfeld, who will lead the project, said. “When the grown vegetation is harvested, it will be planted at local living shoreline projects where it will continue to improve water quality, provide estuarine habitat, and provide cuttings for the next crop of vegetation for the floating treatment wetlands. Thus the project is zero waste and self-sustaining.”
 
In addition to its efficiency, the project will also foster environmental stewardship in local students, who will help in the planting and harvesting portions of the plan. The project was selected for a cooperative agreement due to its advancement of the Gulf of Mexico program’s strategic goals and objectives.
 
“Love seeing the continued leadership from Escambia County and pleased to partner with the community to help protect this vital resource,” EPA Gulf of Mexico Program Director Ben Scaggs said.