News
National Seashore/Johnson Beach and Pensacola Bay Ferry Service Reopened
The Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore/Johnson Beach was fully reopened on March 1, 2024 following reconstruction after 2020’s Hurricane Sally. Changes include three new parking lots off Johnson Beach road, seven new beach crossovers on the Gulf of Mexico and Big Lagoon, and a 1/2-mile multi-use trail for pedestrians and bicycles on the last half mile of Johnson Beach Road. The project was funded by a Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement grant. The Pensacola Bay City Ferry was also reopened for Friday through Sunday service beginning at 9 AM and costing $30 a ticket, with some discounts available. For more on this issue, go to the March 2, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “From trails to tours, here’s what’s coming to the Gulf Island National Seashore this season” by Edward Bunch III at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2024/03/02/national-park-service-resumes-pensacola-bay-city-ferry-for-2024-season/72791423007/ and the Gulf Islands National Seashore February 29, 2024 News Release “New parking lots, crossovers, multiuse trail will open in Perdido Key Area March 1” with Stephenie Wade as contact at https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/news/new-parking-lots-crossovers-multiuse-trail-will-open-in-perdido-key-area-march-1.htm#:~:text=%2D%2D%20GULF%20BREEZE%2C%20Fla.,critical%20resources%20began%20in%20September.
Perdido Key State Park West Use Area Reopened
Closed for only a few months, the Perdido Key State Park West Use Area reopened on March 1, 2023 with rebuilt beach access boardwalk and pavilions. Unlike the East Use Area that was fully restored from Hurricane Sally damage and reopened at the end of 2023, the West Use Area restrooms have not been restored (with portable units available) and the western-most boardwalk access remained closed.
Beach Access #2 Reopened
Escambia County’s Beach Access #2 reopened on March 15, 2024 after construction removed its vandalized restrooms (portable units continue in use), created several more parking spaces and paved the parking area with a permeable surface. A similar renovation with be made to Beach Access #3 at some point in the future.
Commissioner Pension Contributions determined “Unlawful Compensation”
An Okaloosa County Florida Circuit Court judge found the substantial “local option retirement plan” contributions for three Escambia County Commissioners was “unlawful compensation” and not intended for elected officials. The determination was made following actions by Escambia County Comptroller Pam Childers who refused to make the payments to the Commissioner accounts. Those affected are former District 4 Commission Robert Bender, District 3 Commissioner Lumon May and District 5 Commissioner Stephen Barry. Following the ruling, Escambia County is “considering its options.” For more on this issue, see the April 3, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Pam Childers wins lawsuit: Escambia County Commissioner’s retirement plan unlawful, judge rules” by Jim Little at Pam Childers wins lawsuit over Escambia Commissioner’s retirement pay (pnj.com).
Foley a Good Spot to Retire
A survey by GOBankingRates of 100 cities with significant populations of 65 and older adults concluded that Foley, Alabama was “the best place for a cost-effective retirement as well as being an attrractive location.” Factors considered included average home value, health care costs and whether Social Security benefits were taxed. For more on this issue, see the March 3-11, 2024 Mullet Wrapper article “Foley named nation’s top cost-effective retirement spot” by Guy Busby at Mullet Wrapper: Foley named nation’s top cost-effective retirement spot in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.
More on Fish Farms
The proposed fish farm to be located in the Gulf of Mexico about 26 miles south of Pensacola is in the permit approval process. US agencies including NOAA and a number of interest groups support its creation while some environmental groups are opposed. This would be the first major finfish farm in US federal waters though a small scale unit is approved for the Sarasota area but has been delayed by legal challenges. Concerns about off shore finfish farms include the likely increase in nutrient levels in surrounding waters, possible disease spreading from fish farms to native species and dangers to whales and other sea life from the apparatus. For information on the opposition initiative, go to Don’t Cage Our Oceans | STOP INDUSTRIAL OCEAN FISH FARMING (dontcageouroceans.org); for the website of the group proposing the fish farm, go to Florida Offshore – Manna Fish Farms; for an early report on the fish farm, go to the July 20, 2023 Pensacola News Journal article “Pensacola may get one of Florida’s first offshore fish farms, and some are already worried” by Colin Warren-Hicks at Manna Fish Farms seeking to open Gulf of Mexico farm near Pensacola (pnj.com)
NPS Seabird Nesting
Shorebirds have begun to arrive at Gulf Islands National Seashore with the first nest found in the Fort Pickens Area on March 6, 2024. The National Seashore provides important habitat for ground-nesting shorebiirds such as snowy plovers and black skimmers. Visitors to the Perdido Key and Fort Pickens entrances can pick up free “Save a Chick” stickers while supplies last which can serve as reminders to respect the 25 MPH speed limit that helps protect the birds and other wildlife. Pedestrians and bicyclists are also asked to respect restricted areas and understand bird behavior. For more on this issue, see the Gulf Islands National Seashore March 7, 2024 News Release “Shorebird Nesting Season Begins at the National Seashore” by Brent Everitt at Shorebird Nesting Season Begins Again at the National Seashore – Gulf Islands National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Photo Credit: NPS Photo
Blue Angels 2024 Schedule
This year’s Blue Angels 2024 Air Show schedule is available at show-2024.pdf (navy.mil); the practice schedule is available at Blue Angels Practice Schedule | Visit Pensacola. The Blue Angels airshow at Pensacola Beach will be on July 13, 2024 and the Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola on November 1-2, 2024.
Vacation Rental Legislation
The Florida legislature has passed SB280 that, according to a press report, “wipes out city and county regulations approved since 2016 over vacation rentals …” The bill includes limiting occupancy to two persons per bedroom with an additional two in a common area and capping fines for violations at $500. “Local governments still can respond to noise and safety concerns involving vacation rentals.” Critics of the bill oppose the loss of local authority over vacation rentals and are hoping Governor DeSantis will veto the bill. For more on this issue, see the March 25, 2024 USA Network Florida article “Vacation rental bill divided lawmakers. Now it’s drawing calls for DeSantis to veto it” by John Kennedy at Lawmakers passed bill to shift control of vacation rentals to state (tallahassee.com).
ECUA Summer Program for Students
“The Emerald Coast Utility Authority will be hosting a summer program for high school students to learn more about what ECUA does and how this could lead to a career. The behind-the-scenes tour will explore drinking water, water treatment, sanitation, recycling, GIS applications, and more. The dates for the program are June 17-19. You must apply by May 15th.” For more information call 850 969-3348. Drawn from Rick O’Connor April 4, 2024 e-mail.
Flora-Bama a Best Beach Bar!
Southern Living named two area establishments among the “18 Best Beach Bars in the South.” One was Peg Leg Pete’s on Pensacola Beach where the editors noted “A pirate-themed bar at the beach just makes sense.” For the Flora-Bama on Perdido Key, they noted: “There’s something truly special about this Gulf Coast beach bar that sits on the state line of Alabama and Florida. For 60 years, this legendary shoreside shack has been known for slinging excellent bushwackers, booking great live music, and welcoming everyone in”; of course, the famous Mullet Toss remains a top Flora-Bama attraction (see photo). The report covered bars from the “Florida panhandle to North Carolina’s Atlantic waters to the Texas Gulf Coast.” For more see the March 18, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “2 Pensacola-area beach bars land on Southern Living list. Can you guess which” by Brittany Misencik at Southern Living finds 18 best beach bars in the South (pnj.com).
Nothing to Sneeze At!
For an entertaining background on our area’s seasonal affliction from pollenating plants, go to the March 15, 2024 UF/IFAS Coast Wildlife article “Tis the Season…” by Rick O’Connor at https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2024/03/15/tis-the-season/.
More Rabies in Florida?
56 rabies exposure cases during the first three months of 2024 in Escambia County and 11 in Santa Rosa County are greater than last year, with almost 1500 cases reported Florida statewide. For information on how to stay safe from this deadly disease, see the March 14, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Rabies exposure case in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties are up. How to stay safe” by Brandon Girod and Cheryl McCloud at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2024/03/14/florida-rabies-escambia-santa-rosa-county/72973441007/?utm_source=ppen-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=Content%20List%20-%20Stacking%20-%20optimized&utm_content=1063NJ-E-NLETTER65.
Trinidad and Tobago Oil Spill
In February 2024 a barge being towed from Panama to Guyana in the south Caribbean Sea became lodged on a coral reef near Trinidad and Tobago and has leaked thousands of gallons of fuel oil to the environment. The island nation has declared a state of emergency with the spill that threatens its fish, coral reef and mangrove ecosystems; oil has reached the island of Bonaire more that 500 miles east of Trinidad and Tobago. Information drawn from Ocean Conservancy’s Shamini Selvaratnam March 13, 2024 e-mail as well as the February 28, 2024 AP article “Oil spill from capsized barge near Tobago soils beaches hundreds of miles away” by Dánica Coto at Oil spill from capsized barge near Tobago reaches shores of Bonaire | AP News.
Bands on the Beach for 2024 Schedule
Why not spend Tuesday evenings from April through October on Pensacola Beach listening to free concerts?! The 2024 schedule for “Bands on the Beach” is available at Bands On The Beach 2024 Schedule Announced (scenepensacola.com).
Best Florida Beaches!
As mentioned in a Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce posting, Southern Living recently released its list of best Florida beaches. Perdido Key was listed 16 out of 20 with comments such as: “Hugging the northwest stretch of the Florida Panhandle, this island has long been a destination for families seeking solace from touristy cities as well as easy access to nature. Credit its appeal to white-sand beaches, emerald waters, and proximity to Big Lagoon State Park, Perdido Key State Park, and Johnson’s Beach.” To access the January 20, 2024 Southern Living article “20 Florida Beaches That Could Pass For The Caribbean” (fact checked by Jennifer Hawk), go to https://www.southernliving.com/travel/florida/florida-beaches-look-like-caribbean.
PKA Membership Drive
The PKA Annual Membership Meeting coincides with our 2024 PKA membership drive. We hope all members will complete their membership renewals as forwarded in the Annual Meeting mailout, either by mail or online. We also ask you to encourage your friends and associates to join PKA in this period of change and controversy on our beautiful island. With more members, the views of Perdido Key owners and residents will be better understood by decision-makers. As our purpose states: “The Association operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes in providing information needed to promote the welfare and orderly development, combat deterioration, lessen neighborhood tension, and maintain the natural beauty of the community known as Perdido Key, Florida.” Our great thanks for your support.
Lifeguards on Perdido Key Beaches
Escambia County may be adding lifeguards and lifeguard towers to Perdido Key beaches. Details must still be worked out because of beach access and other issues, but the lifeguard stations will most likely be at or between Beach Access #2 and Beach Access #3. The lifeguard towers will cost $244,350 and be paid for from the Local Option Sales Tax fund. For more on this issue, see the February 7, 2023 Pensacola News Journal article “Perdido Key may get lifeguards following rash of water rescues last summer” by Mollye Barrows at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2024/02/07/escambia-county-plans-to-put-lifeguards-on-perdido-key-beach/72490899007/.
Good News at Gulf State Park Pier
The most seaward portion of the fishing pier at Gulf State Park has not been replaced since it was destroyed by Hurricane Sally in 2020 while access to the remaining portion of the pier has been restored for some time. On January 29, 2024, however, a giant liftboat took up station at the pier to recover fallen debris and set replacement pilings to restore the pier to full service. Gulf State Park officials are hopeful repairs will be completed by the end of summer 2024. From the February 7-21, 2024 Mullet Wrapper article “Pier & Shore Fishing Outlook” by David “The Pierpounder” Thornton.
Nonstop Pensacola-Philadelphia
Frontier Airlines has announced it will begin nonstop service between Pensacola International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport on May 22, 2024. For more on this issue, see the February 7, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Frontier Airlines launching nonstop flights between Pensacola and Philly” at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2024/02/07/pensacola-international-airport-to-philadelphia-flights-coming-soon/72506988007/.
New Flights to Tampa/Norfolk
On June 28, 2024 Breeze Airways will begin twice weekly (Monday and Friday) nonstop flights from Pensacola International Airport to Tampa FL with flights continuing to Norfolk VA. This will be the eighth airline servicing Pensacola. For more information, see the March 26, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “City welcoming new airline Breeze Airways this summer. Here are the destinations” at Breeze Airways joins Pensacola International Airport (pnj.com).
RESTORE Amendment 3 Approved by BOCC
Escambia County’s proposed “Restore Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan Amendment 3” includes a request for “Perdido Key Public Beach Access – Property Acquisition and Construction” where $3.6 million would be used to acquire Perdido Key property for public beach access and parking among other “potential amenities.” At its January 23, 2024 meeting, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioner voted in favor of the Amendment that will now pass to the US Treasury Department for review and action. To view RESTORE Amendment 3, go to https://myescambia.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/myip-3-flyer-draft-final-3.pdf?sfvrsn=8ab1b668_2.
River Road Closed until April 2024
River Road is currently closed to through traffic because of repairs to the culverts running under the road and walking path. The revised Escambia County “Project Details” anticipates project completion in April 2024. For “Project Details,” go to https://myescambia.com/open-government/projects/project-details/river-road-culvert-walking-path-repair.
Escambia County News Article on Perdido Key Multi-Use Path
Escambia County’s January 30, 2024 News Article “Perdido Key Multi-Use Path Providing Better Connectivity through Perdido Key” provides information on the path’s development and current construction progress; it also states path completion is expected in fall 2024. To access the article, go to https://myescambia.com/news/news-article/2024/01/30/perdido-key-multi-use-path-providing-better-connectivity-through-perdido-key.
Perdido Key Private Beach Public Access Dispute
District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and Escambia County are following up on a finding that some 1957 deeds transferring Perdido Key property from the Federal Government to private ownership specified the southerly 75 feet of the Gulf front lots were “subject to a perpetual easement for a beach for public use generally.” The properties affected are from Perdido Skye Condominium to the eastern boundary of Perdido Key State Park. A recent entry in Commissioner Bergosh’s blog points to likely legal action by some affected beachfront property owners regarding the easement. For more information, consult Commissioner Bergosh’s blog at http://jeffbergoshblog.blogspot.com/ and the April 13, 2023 Pensacola News Journal article “Old deeds give new life to the fight for public access to Perdido Key beaches” by Mollye Barrows at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2023/04/13/property-deeds-give-public-an-edge-in-fight-for-access-to-beaches-on-perdido-k-versus-private-beache/70107445007/.
2023 PKA Holiday Party!
Those attending the PKA Holiday Party on December 11, 2023 at the Palacio Resort on Perdido Key Drive had a great time meeting old friends and making new ones. Wonderful food and multiple beverage choices were available and terrific decorations on display. The PKA Board of Directors wishes you and yours the very best of Holiday Seasons!
PKA Annual Membership Meeting!
Approximately 30 people attended the Perdido Key Association Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Eden Condominium, with others joining on Zoom. Featured speaker Christian Wagley, the coastal organizer for Healthy Gulf, gave a terrific presentation on several issues including potential threats from a proposed industrial fish farm in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Pensacola and the status of and efforts to help the rare Rice’s whale. PKA President Stan Capua followed and addressed Perdido Key issues such as continued work to restore Perdido Key State Park and the Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore (Johnson Beach) from 2020’s Hurricane Sally damage, progress on the Perdido Key Multi-Use Path and other construction and development related issues. Other Board members provided information on the Perdido Key Drive/Johnson Beach Road roundabout and changes to Beach Access #2; “We Are Perdido” leader Steve Brendtro added an update on the Perdido area incorporation initiative. The meeting minutes will be posted shortly on the Archive page of the PKA website.
Perdido Key Beach Cleanup
The Perdido Key Association, Friends of Pensacola State Parks and Florida State Park rangers hosted International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the Perdido Key State Park West Use Area. Over 50 volunteers helped cleanup our beaches including very active participation from 10 students from Pensacola Catholic High School. Trash removed included large debris remaining from Hurricane Sally. T-shirts unique to the event were distributed to all participants. It was a great community effort to improve our Perdido Key’s beach environment!
World Oceans Day Celebration on Perdido Key!
Lots of children and adults helped celebrate World Oceans Day 2023 at the Perdido Key Visitors Center on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Sponsored by the Perdido Area Chamber of Commerce with several organizations setting up display tables and booths, attendees were able to gain a greater understanding of the need to protect and preserve our oceans and the water and shore areas that help make Perdido Key a great place to live and visit. Among the activities, Florida State Park AmeriCorps representative Justin Franks provided a well received demonstration on sea turtle nesting and the work by volunteers to ensure 2023 is a successful nesting season.
NOTES ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Dead Snakes for Lungworm Research
The “snake lungworm” has spread from South Florida (where it may have been introduced by Burmese pythons in the Everglades) to Central Florida and is killing domestic snakes. Escambia County Sea Grant Representative Rick O’Connor is working with researchers from the University of Florida and the University to Central Florida to determine if the invasive species has spread to the Florida Panhandle. Researchers are seeking roadkill snakes to examine for lungworms. As detailed in Rick O’Connor’s November 7, 2023 e-mail, the Snake Lungworm Alliance Monitoring Program (SLAM) is looking for volunteers to:
Methods:
1. Collect dead snakes, typically roadkill, in good shape (still somewhat 3-dimensional and not smashed flat) are collected.
2. Snakes are to be collected using gloved hands and a tong/rake/snake hook or other tool – the snake may not be dead.
3. Label a zip-lock bag BEFORE placing snake within with the following information.
a. Your name
b. Species of snake (if known)
c. Date Collected
d. Latitude / Longitude
e. County collected in
f. Site description – landmark, address, park name, etc.
g. Comments about the snake, the site, the situation
4. Place dead snake in bag and double bag (labeled bag on outside).
5. Close bag, contact Rick at (850-776-3906) and bring the snake to the Escambia County Extension Office – 3740 Stefani Road – between 8:00-4:30 Mon-Fri. If after hours, contact Rick.
6. VENOMOUS SNAKES – care MUST be taken when handling such. Again, not all snakes hit by cars are dead and some will strike if only dead for a few hours. You MUST use a small rake/tong/hook – tool – to place the snake in bag.
7. ADDITIONAL SAFETY – Care must also be taken when stopping and working on a busy highway. Many are hit by cars trying to save turtles, collecting snakes can be the same.
8. IF a snake is still alive, let it be. Even if it is injured, the Wildlife Sanctuary does not rehab snakes.
Supplies
1. Box of 1-gallon zip-lock bags.
2. Marker
3. Gloves
4. Tool – snake hook, snake tongs, small rake, etc.
5. Phone for location and notes.
If interested and have questions, contact Rick O’Connor at 850 475-5230 or Roc1@ufl.edu.
For more on the lungworm, see the January 31, 2020 The Wildlife Society article “Watch: Invasive Parasites Spreading Among Florida Snakes” by Joshua Rapp Learn at https://wildlife.org/watch-invasive-parasites-spreading-among-florida-snakes/.
Respecting Sea Grass
Ocean Conservancy’s Michelle Frey stated that “Seagrass does not get the respect it deserves” in a March 1, 2024 e-mail. She noted there are 60 species of seagrass worldwide and listed “three things we may not know about seagrasses:” Seagrass keeps the ocean floor together – literally, just like planting trees and shrubs helps prevent erosion; Seagrass can store large amounts of carbon by pulling carbon dioxide from the ocean, perhaps 40 times better than a comparable area of land forest; and, Seagrasses need our help – we lose two football fields of seagrass every hour, meaning less habitat for marine life, reduced carbon sequestration, and lost food sources for endangered species such as sea turtles.
