Panama City-Bay County International Airport
Project Overview
 

The Panama City- Bay County International Airport Authority signed an agreement with the Department to use an optional approach to the traditional permitting process for the Airport Relocation Project. The result of this process is an Ecosystem Management Agreement that includes the associated DEP environmental permits and describes the net ecosystem benefits of the project. The details of these benefits are described within the Agreement, and include commitments to conserve and restore nearly 10,000 acres of wetlands and uplands within the West Bay Preservation Area, to treat stormwater to levels comparable to the Department's Outstanding Florida Waters criteria, and to register the passenger terminal building for Green Building certification as well as other environmental benefits.

The original permit authorizing construction of the airport was developed to protect the quality and resources of West Bay, Burnt Mill and Crooked Creeks and their tributaries. However, the Airport had not completed construction of its stormwater treatment systems, nor had it taken adequate interim measures to control erosion, sedimentation, or manage its construction-related runoff.

On July 20, 2009 DEP and Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District signed a consent order that includes a substantial penalty and corrective actions to bring airport construction back into compliance with the wetland resource permit.

Due to recent heavy rains the Panama City Airport is seeking time-limited relief from the stringent turbidity provision of its Ecosystem Management Agreement with the Department in order to prevent the uncontrolled overtopping of onsite stormwater retention ponds.  The uncontrolled overtopping of these ponds would cause a large amount of sediment to enter nearby wetlands and surface waters.  After careful consideration of the Airport Authority’s February 1, 2010 request, the Department has entered into a new Consent Order with the Airport Authority establishing discharge parameters to avert potential environmental impact from uncontrolled overflow. The new Consent Order also requires the Airport Authority to pay $58,899 in penalties for recent water quality violations sediment and erosion control failures, and unauthorized wetland fill.  Additionally, the new Consent Order requires Corrective Actions that the Airport Authority will implement to provide immediate improvement in erosion control measures, ensure stormwater discharged from the site complies with state water quality standards, minimize the potential for an uncontrolled release of stormwater not meeting water quality standards and ensure the timely completion of the original stormwater design.
 

For more information contact:
Northwest District's Darryl Boudreau
(850)595-0666