Bay County commissioners voted on Oct. 21 not to support pursuing National Estuary Program designation for the St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bay Estuary Program, following extended public comment and a divided discussion about federal involvement in local water management.

Supporters, including Jessica Graham, executive director of the St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bay Estuary Program, told the commission the designation would create a steadier pipeline of federal funding. "National designation, if supported by this board and actually secured in Congress, would give us a pipeline of funding to be able to do what you all and the local community find important rather than what a grantor finds important," Graham said.

Opponents and wary commissioners expressed concern about ceding influence to federal agencies and the potential for slower permitting or additional requirements. In debate, one commissioner said federalization could mean longer permitting timelines and greater paperwork for projects such as dredging and beach or inlet work. County staff and Graham repeatedly said the designation itself was non‑regulatory and would not transfer decisionmaking authority. "The national designation does not give us regulatory authority," Graham said, adding the designation is intended to recognize national importance and support local priorities through cooperative federal funding.

County staff told commissioners that Congressman Neal Dunn's office is preparing legislation and that time is of the essence to provide feedback on draft language. Staff also noted that Pensacola and several other Florida estuaries already hold national designation and that designation alone does not impose additional regulatory power on federal agencies beyond existing state and federal authorities.

Graham described the local program's recent accomplishments and funding: she said the estuary program had helped secure about $8 million in grant funds over the past four years to support projects that include water‑quality monitoring, a citizen‑science program, and 60% design work for floodplain restoration in upper Springfield/Lake Martin tributaries.

Commissioners debated whether the county could later withdraw from designation if local leaders concluded the arrangement was harmful. Staff said no jurisdiction had previously requested removal and that, practically, federal influence is tied to the receipt of federal funds: "As soon as we stop spending their money, they stop having control," a staff speaker said, though they acknowledged formal unwinding could be unclear and might require congressional action.

After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to not move forward with requesting national designation. The motion passed on a roll call vote (majority in favor), denying the request and leaving the estuary program to continue pursuing competitive grants and local funding.

The decision does not change the estuary program's existing Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) or current locally funded projects; staff said the CCMP remains the guiding document for priorities and that the program will continue to seek grant funding and local partnerships.

Next steps: Commissioners who opposed moving forward said they wanted more certainty about legal and procedural implications before supporting designation; supporters said they will continue to pursue grants and to work with regional partners to refine options for federal support.