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Orange Park says Johnson Slough culvert project ready for permit submission
Summary
Public works director said survey, title and design work are complete and the town plans to submit permit packages to St. Johns River Water Management District and FDEP this week for a long‑planned culvert and roadway resiliency project.
Town of Orange Park public works staff told the town council on Nov. 4 that the Johnson Slough roadway and culvert improvement project — a multi‑year effort begun after Hurricane Irma — is moving toward formal permitting.
Kyle Croce, the town's public works director, said the project team has completed surveying and title work for property documentation, and Jones Edmunds is in final review of construction plans. "We remain on schedule to formally submit the permit package to Saint Johns River Water Management Districts and and FDEP by the end of this week," Croce said, adding the town had previously submitted permit materials in August and September and later withdrew the formal package at the district's request to allow a more collaborative review.
The project is framed by town staff as a resilience investment intended to reduce flooding risk on town roadways. Croce told council the objectives align with the Florida Resilient Grant Program and that the town has engaged independent engineers and a local title company to clear property ownership documentation required by the district because portions of the project area were formerly private land.
During public comment, resident Sherry Snow asked what had been accomplished from prior Edmonds (townwide) studies and pressed staff on timelines and FEMA funding for other culvert projects. Town officials said design work for one major Plainfield area project is complete but construction is contingent on federal funding and resubmission under updated FEMA rules.
Mayor Pat Anderson asked staff to notify council once the formal permit package is submitted. The town manager agreed to send an email to the council when the application goes to the district. The project will remain subject to the two permitting agencies' review and to further council updates as the town moves toward construction.
Next steps: staff expects to submit permit materials to the St. Johns River Water Management District and FDEP, after which the agencies will enter their review process; councilors will be notified when submission is complete.
