Okaloosa County BOCC — September 3, 2013 — Okaloosa 2013 Federal Legislative Issues — reading text

Federal Legislative Issues • Support efforts by the congressional delegation to oppose/mitigate impacts of the EPA Numeric Nutrient Criteria and mercury levels. • We request that the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Section 219 grant program be redefined to allow the funding of projects that both parties in the US Congress currently have agreed to be considered as earmarks. The Future Water Supply program is one example of a project that may benefit in the future from Section 219 funding, but currently can’t because it would be considered an earmark. Federal Funding Issues • Support funding for the construction of the main entrance road at Bob Sikes Airport. • Request $4 million to upgrade Hare Street with curb, gutter, associated drainage and paving. Road serves as a southern access corridor from US Hwy 90 to the Bob Sikes Airport. • Request $2.5 million to convert Fairchild Road from the existing dirt road to a paved road with widened shoulders for stormwater management. Road serves as the primary north access point from Airport Road to Bob Sikes Airport. • Request $10 million to advance construction of the south segment of PJ Adams with roadway improvements (2 lane to 4 lane) from SR 85S to Wildhorse Drive. • Support funding of the Destin Airport Air Traffic Control Tower. • Request $20 million to advance construction of the south segment of SR123 with roadway improvements (2 lane to 4 lane) from north of SR85S to north of Toms Creek. • Support funding of Reclaim Water Opportunities. With the new state-of-the-art Arbennie Pritchett Water Reclamation Facility in operation, we have the ability to supply reclaim water by adding a filter and transmission piping. Future opportunities exist to send reclaim water to Eglin, the Niceville Service Area, etc; however, funding is needed for these projects