Dusty May urges support for Panhandle Clean Water Initiative study

Dusty May, a longtime resident of Port St. Joe, made a compelling case at the Bay County Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 6, 2025, urging the board to support a crucial environmental study. May called for a letter of support for a joint study between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address significant ecological issues affecting local waterways.

The proposed study aims to investigate the diversion of Apalachicola River water and sediment, which is currently harming Apalachicola Bay and impacting the health of St. Joe Bay and St. Andrew Bay. May emphasized that the Corps is prepared to conduct the study, but FDEP's cooperation is essential to move forward. He highlighted that the study would cost a maximum of $3 million over three years, with the state’s share being less than $500,000 annually.

May presented alarming statistics, noting that 2.5 billion gallons of river water and sediment are diverted daily from Apalachicola Bay, leading to detrimental effects on local ecosystems, including the destruction of seagrass beds and the decline of oyster populations. He stressed that the study is not about endorsing specific solutions but about gathering data to understand the problems better.

The Corps has already published an advisory recommending the study, which May believes is critical for improving water quality along Gulf County beaches, a vital aspect for local tourism. He concluded by urging the commissioners to act swiftly, stating that their support is crucial for the future health of the region's waterways and ecosystems.