Gulf Islands National Seashore will host a virtual public meeting on March 8, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m. to solicit feedback on various sustainable road options being evaluated for portions of J. Earle Bowden Way (Highway 399/Route 11) and Fort Pickens Road (Route 12), on Santa Rosa Island, Escambia County, Florida.
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan severely damaged the roadways within the park and subsequent hurricanes and tropical storms have further eroded park shorelines. These natural barrier island processes have led to problems with minor storms and routine weather events pushing Gulf waters and sand onto roadway surfaces resulting in road damage, road closures and unsafe roadway operating conditions.
The National Park Service (NPS) is working to identify and evaluate potential sustainability options for these two roadways within Gulf Islands National Seashore. The NPS has not initiated formal planning, identified a preferred direction, or pursued funding to implement any design options at this time; however, the NPS is interested in the public’s insight and ideas on the project purpose and a range of potential options.
For more information and to provide comments on this project, please use the following link:http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GUIS_Road_Feasibility_Study
As a result of COVID restrictions, the seashore will hold a virtual public meeting to solicit feedback.
Those interested in participating can join using the following information.
Web: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86573697314
Phone:Â +1-312-626-6799 with Webinar ID 86573697314#; +1-929-436-2866 with Webinar ID 86573697314#
About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/GulfIslands, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.