Pinellas County is set to receive $29.4 million in federal funding to repair creeks damaged by Hurricane Milton.
County commissioners unanimously approved an agreement last month with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to accept the grant through its Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
Pinellas County Public Works Director Kelli Hammer Levy told commissioners the funding will go toward repairing erosion, clearing overgrown vegetation, and addressing other damage along sections of Joe’s Creek, Curlew Creek, Bee Branch Creek, and South Creek.
Levy said at the June 16 meeting that the grant will cover 100 percent of construction and oversight costs, meaning no matching funds will be required from the county.
She noted the work applies only to areas where the county holds rights or easements. Sections that run through private property will remain the responsibility of individual landowners.
Levy said NRCS previously funded the removal of debris and large trees that were blocking water flow in the waterways after Milton hit.
According to county agenda documents, a budget amendment recognizing the grant will be brought before commissioners at a future meeting.
Several residents along different stretches of Joe’s Creek, including areas near 49th St. N. and 40th Ave. North, 37th St. N. and 49th Ave. North and Brookside Mobile Manor said flooding from the creek hasn’t been a major issue for them, but they welcomed news of the upcoming repairs.
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