More than 70 attend Panama City Beach meeting on Lullwater Lake Basin Outfall project
PANAMA CITY BEACH − About 70 people attended an open house on Wednesday afternoon on the Lullwater Lake Basin Outfall project, according to Councilman Michael Jarman.
The meeting was a chance for residents to get more information on the development, which aims to construct a more than $41.375 million offshore stormwater outfall in the Gulf of Mexico.
"I think it's great," Jarman said of the meeting's attendance. "I think that people need to ask questions, and that was the basis of having that − so they could get answers from the engineers. ... I care about people having the truth."
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The outfall, which has been in the works for about two yeas, is a controversial topic for some area residents. It would combine current outfalls near Lullwater Lake and Calypso Resort and Tower, channel stormwater underground and deposit it about 1,500 feet into the Gulf.
Jarman said a main question about the outfall that came up during the meeting was whether it will hurt the water quality of the Gulf. He said the outfall is anticipated to improve water quality because it will filter stormwater. Stormwater that will be redirected by the outfall already funnels into the Gulf without being treated. It currently runs across the sandy beach near Lullwater Lake.
Other communities, such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, have successfully built similar developments and improved water quality over time. Myrtle Beach was recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2017 for improving the environment through such outfalls.
Jarman said some residents at the meeting also were concerned that drilling would be used to install the Beach's outfall. He said crews would not drill, but dig out areas where pipes would go.
Officials have said construction of the outfall will depend on permitting and grant funding. A list of environmental studies were needed before the project could break ground. All but one of the required studies − a hydrodynamics study − is complete. It and design plans for the outfall are about 95% finished.
Regarding grant funding, Beach officials voted in March for the city to apply for a $3 million grant from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation also applied for a $10 million grant from the National Coastal Resilience Fund to help fund the outfall project. Both grants still are under review.
If approved, they will add to a $21 million grant Panama City Beach received for the project in 2021 through DEO's Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program. The program is for communities impacted by Category 5 Hurricane Michael in October 2018, and it is designed to help areas rebuild and harden their critical infrastructure to better withstand future natural disasters.
The outfall project is expected to cost more than $41.375 million. Officials hope to begin advertising for construction bids by the end of the year. Construction of the project is expected to take about 18 months.
"I think it's a great project for the Lullwater community," Jarman said. "It's not like this project was slapped together. The process of preconstruction is extensive to determine any issues and mitigate and resolve any issues that might take place."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Beach holds meeting on Lullwater Lake outfall project
