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County ratifies application for $14.8 million East Pass dredging construction grant
Summary
Okaloosa County ratified submission of a Florida DEP beach management grant application seeking $14,797,505 for a larger East Pass dredging project; staff said funds likely to arrive in 2027–28 and the county has reserve funding available for interim work.
Okaloosa County commissioners on Sept. 2 ratified the county’s application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s beach management funding assistance program for construction funding for an expanded East Pass dredging project.
Jennifer Adams, presenting for the county, said the application requests $14,797,505 in DEP funding plus $4,932,500 in tourist‑development matching contributions. Adams said the application followed prior approvals for permitting and that construction funds, if awarded, would most likely be available in fiscal 2027–28; the county has reserves budgeted to support permitting and interim work until construction funds are distributed.
Commissioners voted unanimously to ratify the application. Staff said the project is a deeper, wider dredge of East Pass intended to support navigation and beach restoration; detailed permitting and cost‑share arrangements were previously reviewed in earlier agenda items, and county consultants will be available to answer technical questions as needed.
Why it matters: East Pass dredging affects coastal navigation, shoreline stability and beach restoration; a successful DEP grant would supply a major portion of construction funding while tourist‑development matching funds would be used as the local contribution. The county did not adopt new matching appropriations at the meeting but indicated matching funds identify likely funding sources and that reserves exist to support the project until grant dollars are delivered.
The board’s ratification lets staff proceed with a DEP construction request and continue permitting and project planning.
