OVERVIEW
The Carpenter Creek Restoration Project will improve the health of the creek ecosystem while enhancing public access to this regional amenity. The project will improve water quality and connectivity while bolstering community resilience and providing public access throughout the system. The benefits extend to nearby properties and contribute to the long- term vitality and health of Bayou Texar and its watershed.
The restoration of the creek will be designed wholistically to support overall increased ecological value and community resilience for the watershed, measured in reduced sediment and nutrient loads, reduced localized flooding and increased acreage of restored wetlands. The Project will create a network of trails and destinations that will bring people to the water’s edge, promoting stewardship and conservation of the creek for all.
Since much of the creek runs along or through privately owned parcels, written permission is needed from property owners to initiate data collection. This data collection will inform the conceptual design of the restoration work. We have provided an electronic copy of the access agreement below, which can be downloaded, electronically signed and returned to [email protected] or you can print, sign, and mail a copy to:
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program
226 Palafox Place
Pensacola, FL 32502
For Creek Property Owners:
General Information
We need your feedback on potential recreational opportunities along Carpenter Creek. Take this short survey to provide your thoughts to the Design Team: Public Recreation Opportunities Survey
The Carpenter Creek Restoration Project is managed by the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP). The Design Team is led by Moffatt & Nichol, with collaborators in Stream Restoration by Black & Veatch, and Public Engagement and Access by Waggonner & Ball, known collectively as the “Design Team". But, this project is not possible without your input!
The Carpenter Creek Restoration Project includes design, engineering, modeling and permitting services, in addition to community engagement and site access coordination and support. This project is made possible through a generous grant from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
The project area includes a 2.5 mile long stretch of Carpenter Creek, located within the City of Pensacola and is bounded upstream by Interstate-110 and downstream by 12th Avenue. The creek is broken into six segments. The segments each have their own unique stressors and capacity to contribute to the overall resolution of key watershed issues.
The Project is divided two phases to help us focus first on the most important parts of the creek. Phase 1 includes the conceptual design for the entire 2.5-mile creek, primarily data collection and modeling, feasibility and alternative assessments with respect to creek restoration and public access design.
Phase 2 advances the project from conceptual design through 100% design. The timeline for advancement of the six project segments will be determined after phase one based on input from outreach, land coordination/negotiations, budget and other contributing factors at the time of execution.
Engagement with those who live, work or play in the area will be proactive and ongoing throughout the project timeline. Our team is committed to addressing questions, actively listening to feedback, and building a collective vision for the future of the watershed.
If you have a question or concern regarding this project, please email us at [email protected].
To stay involved, you can subscribe to the PPBEP newsletter or follow us on social media. We hope to connect with you soon!
In 2019, Escambia County developed the Carpenter Creek and Bayou Texar Watershed Management Plan (WMP) with RESTORE Direct Component (Pot 1) funds. The WMP identified 15 priority projects, designed to improve creek conditions, downstream water quality, and community access to the creek. The Carpenter Creek Restoration Project is just one of these priority projects.
>Community feedback received during the WMP process remains valuable and continues to shape this project’s goals and strategies. To learn more about the Watershed Management Plan, visit the Escambia County website or download the full Watershed Management Plan here.
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN DOCUMENTS
Download Watershed Management Plan documents below
Project Fact Sheet
Final Watershed Management Plan
Vol 1 Community Engagement
Vol 2 Watershed Evaluation
Vol 3 Watershed Assessment
Vol 4 Watershed Management Recommendations
Vol 5 Review of Regulatory Framework
Vol 6 Monitoring and Evaluation
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN IN THE NEWS
Check out Watershed Management Plan news coverage below
Carpenter Creek - The Cultural Landscape Foundation
Pensacola News Journal - Two-year journey to plan repairs to Carpenter Creek and Bayou Texar Taking Shape
Pensacola News Journal - 15 projects unveiled to restore Carpenter Creek call for increasing public access to creek
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN VIDEOS
Creek Geek Series - Volume 1 with John Kiefer, Water Resources Engineer
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting Schedule & Workplan here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting I Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting II Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting III Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting IV Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Watermen Workshop #1 Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting V Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting VI Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting VII Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Watermen Workshop #2 Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting IX Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting X Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting XI Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting XII Summary here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting I Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting II Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting III Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting IV Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting V Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting VI Agenda Packet here
Download the GBPS Oyster Working Group Meeting VII Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting VIII Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting IX Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting X Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting XI Agenda Packet here
Download the GPBS Oyster Working Group Meeting XII Agenda Packet here
