Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Coastal Resilience topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Phase two of Franklin 98 living-shoreline project set to start; early monitoring shows marsh growth and oyster settlement
Summary
Apalachicola Regional Planning Council advised the Franklin County commission that phase two construction for the Franklin 98 living shoreline is scheduled to start soon; phase-one monitoring shows about 30% marsh growth and strong oyster recruitment on installed reefs.
Apalachicola Regional Planning Council environmental staff told Franklin County commissioners that construction for phase two of the Franklin 98 living-shoreline project will begin soon.
Project manager Destiny Bates said the multiyear initiative aims to install roughly 20 acres of reef and 30 acres of marsh to reduce everyday erosion and enhance coastal resilience along Highway 98. Phase one — completed in 2024 on public shoreline segments — included 99 reefs and about one acre of planted marsh; monitoring since completion shows approximately 30% marsh growth in planted areas and rapid oyster settlement on many of the reef structures.
Bates emphasized that the living-shoreline approach reduces chronic erosion and supports fisheries and local tourism, but will not prevent storm surge. The project has used local contractors and is funded through a mix of state and federal grants, with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund assistance noted during earlier stages.
Outcome: Commissioners received the update and affirmed continued coordination; phase-two construction is scheduled to begin within weeks pending permitting and contractor scheduling.
