First Brownsville, now Pensacola Beach
Escambia County will assist homeowners in cleanup April 14
BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

Escambia County Administrator George Touart and Code Enforcement Officer Charlie Walker say they are ready to tackle Pensacola Beach now that they are coming off a successful campaign in Brownsville.

The pair surveyed the island and identified remaining hurricane debris such as pieces of concrete or asphalt that need to be removed.

Additionally, the county will pay two contractors to remove sand from the beach right of ways and sift it, all at county expense.

"When we remove our sand, if it sifts back on the right of way, the homeowner must pay to remove it," Touart told the Santa Rosa Island Authority board.

"We are offering to help clean the island up," Touart said. "It's not going to cost you one dime."

Aplanned island cleanup on April 14 will be an amnesty day for hurricane debris, but Touart cautions it is not a day to clean out a garage.

"We are there to get nails, etc. that are still in the sand," he said.

Commissioner Grover Robinson told the SRIA the intent is not to fine anyone for having code violations, but it is a good game plan to get the beach cleaned up.

SRIA General Manager Buck Lee said the big event will be April 14 when groups or individuals can volunteer to help clean up the island. People who are physically unable to remove hurricane debris from their leaseholds can register with the SRIA by calling Kim Duell at 932-2257 and give permission for volunteers to come pick up small debris items such as pieces of concrete or asphalt that way below 25 lbs.

"This is for people who really need help," Lee said.

Groups and individuals who want to participate in the cleanup should meet Saturday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. in the Casino Beach parking lot to get assignments. Escambia County will provide some equipment as well as personnel to help in the project.

Lee said Roads Inc. and Panhandle Grading and Paving will begin removing sand from the rights of way next week, bringing most of the sand to an area near Morgan Park for sifting.

Homeowners should be sure there are no fences or other intrusions into the rights of way.

This spring cleanup is designed to bring the island back to the condition it was before Hurricane Ivan hit in September of 2004.

Lee and the staff of the SRIA are working with restaurants to provide lunch and refreshments to the volunteers.

"We are looking for people like the boy scouts, who may want to earn a merit badge for participating," Lee said.