Okaloosa County BOCC — December 15, 2015 — Letter of Support CBA

CHOCTAWHATCHEE BASIN ALLIANCE OoF NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE,,, Greenway Trail; Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 850-267-1888 cba@nwfsc.edu C B A July 31%, 2013 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners 1804 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Suite 400 Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547 Re: Letter of Support for Okaloosa County Living Shorelines Project Dear Commissioners: The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College is an organization committed to sustaining and providing optimum utilization of the Choctawhatchee Basin watershed. Under the auspices of the NWEF State College, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance provides opportunities for citizens, educators, and technical experts to promote the health of the Choctawhatchee Basin watershed. I am writing on behalf of Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance to indicate our support for Okaloosa County’s proposed Living Shorelines Project. I believe that the project, as conceived, will provide for the following long- term public benefits to Choctawhatchee Bay: Create a natural buffer to reduce erosion. Sustain natural coastal processes and shoreline dynamics. Trap, retain and cycle stormwater runoff and pollutants. Create opportunities for public education. We at Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance feel there is a need for such project and applaud the County’s initiative to improve a vital component of our precious natural resources. We hope that you will give every consideration to this proposal. If you need to contact me for further information or verify our support, please feel free to call me at (850) 200- 4173 or e-mail me at mcdowel2@nwfsc.edu. Alison McDowell Senior Grant Manager Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance 109 Greenway Trail Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Sincerely,