News Update
DEP NW district recognizes Pensacola for environmental stewardship
Staff report
Enviro-Net
The city of Pensacola was named an outstanding environmental steward by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest District.
The district's environmental stewardship award program recognizes businesses, professional and community organizations, and local governments within DEP's Northwest District for proactive, innovative and exceptional achievements that prevent or reduce impacts on the environment beyond measures required by permit or rule.
To be considered for recognition, participants must demonstrate significant and measurable achievements that provide a direct benefit to our environment.
The city’s nomination highlighted stormwater improvement projects that improve drainage and provide treatment of stormwater to help protect water quality. The stormwater improvements not only provide a higher level of treatment, but the city also chose to take an innovative approach and provide residents and visitors with attractive parks.
The stormwater projects are co-located and incorporated into parks and gathering places, adding recreational, educational and economic value to the community.
The city’s program also improves water quality and helps to restore and sustain the biodiversity of bay systems by providing aquatic and wetland habitat for many wildlife species. Based on population and geographic size, the program is one of the most aggressive and effective retrofit programs in the state.