Escambia River Watershed

Canoe Creek
HUC #031403050401 Pine Barren Creek - Sandy Hollow HUC #031403050501

Alobomo/Florido
Background
The Escambla River is a large alluvial .iverthat flows south from Alabama through the Florida Panhandle to the Pensacola Bay Estuary and the Gulf of Mexico. The Escambia River Basin is highly productlvq and serves as a nursery for commercially important shellfish and finfish, as well as a diverse array offlora and fauna. The Basin ecosystem provldes diverse habitats ranging from

Little Pine Barren Creek

HUC #031403050502

mature bottomland hardwood forest to pine uplands, agricultural landt and estuarine marsh. lt provides important habitat for numerous species ofplants and animall including more than 85 native freshwaterflsh specles, candidate mussel species, and rare, threatened, and endangered species such as the brown pelican and piping
prover. The estuary also acts as a filter for pollutants, provldes

shoreline stabilization, and offers recreational and educational opponunltles for the local population and tourists.
In recent years, the Escambia RiverWatershed has experienced extreme drought conditions. Problems aJsociated with sedlmentation have been exacerbated by poor flushlng and large sedimnt loads. Current and hlstorlc land uses have left a legacy ofpolluted sediments that contribute to water quality concems because ofthe threats that they pose to human health, aquatlc heahh, and decreased fish and shellflsh oroduction. The major land u5es are cropland, forestland, rangeland, and pastureland. Croplands in the area are dominated by row crop agriculture. The major crops are cotton and peanuts, with corn and soybeans as minor crops,

'td-r.'\ ,!t t\ !l

RlroulcrCo|r(crn lvaterQualily - Excessive Nutden$ and

Organi<s in Surfa(e Water and Excctiive Suspended Sediment and Turbidity in Surfa<e Water

Tol.l A<..t lil..dlnd Ti.rtn

17,620

Water

Quality

Harmful Levels of

1,750

Pathogenr

Goals / Objectives
This initiative will reduce sediments and nutrient loads generated from agriculture operatlons in the focus area, and as a result, reduce their deposition into tributary streams of the Escambia River. Ultimately, this will improve wildlife habitat and the quality of water delivered to Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Soil Elosion - Clas5ic Gully and Stredmbank Soil Erorion - Sheet & Rill Erosion Fish and wildlite - Threatened and Endangered Species, Decllning Species

255

15,620

8,000

State Proposal - Alabama/Florida

Actions
This initiative will focus on reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and improving wildlife habitat on cropland, partureland, and forestland by:

Outcomes and lmpacts

Anticipated long-term outcomes of this initiative are: a significant decrease in sediment deposited into the Pensacola 8ay and the Gulf of Mexico, resultlng In decrea5ed

. . . . . . . . . .

Installing grade control structures to stabilize eroding gullies lmplementing precision agriculture to reduce chemical application overlap and protect sensitive environmental areas Increasing adoptlon of residue and tillage management, cover crops, and conservation crop rotations to reduce sheet and rill erosion and improve soil organic matter, which will result in cleaner runoff and improved water quality Planting grass and trees to stabilize eroding areas Installing cross-fences and watering facllities to facilitate grazinq distribution Controlling cattle access to streams to improve water quality and streambank stability Planting and managing native plant species to improve wildlife habitat and to assist wlth resto.ation of a multitude of declining species Promoting energy conservation by eliminating the need for annual mechanical removal of sediment from split ditches lmplementing grazing management Installing heavy-use area protection pads

turbidity, decreased levels of

absolbed nutrientt and improved dissolved orygen content; improved water quality in the Gulf of Mexico and Pnsacola Bay; improved fish and wildlife habitat; and increased community awareness about resources and best management practices to suppon conservation and renewal of our natural resources,

Cotton production in Florida.

Precirion planting and chemical application in a high residue cover croo in Alabarna,

Partners
Es<.mbla County Commission, Florlda provides staffing assistance in the Molino U5DA 5ervice Center Office. Escambia Soil and Wetet Conservation District, Flolida and Alab.ma provider technical assistance and outrea(h to producers. Florlda Oepanmnt of Agricuhure and Conrumar servlcs helps with outreach. Florida Firh and Wlldllto Conseruation Commirsion provides 5taffing a5siltance. Northwcit Flolida Water Managcmant Dirtrict provides techni(al asristance with permits and outreach. Florida Three RivsrJ and Al.bama GulfCo.3t RC&D assists NRCS with outreach, initjative feedback, and 5uppon. Flo da Dlvlrlon of Forestry provides outreach to producer5 and technical recommendation5. U.S. Fkh and Wildlit s.rvlcc helps restore habitat for listed mussel: and improve fish passage, P.rdldo Bay Indian Tribe providei outreach and public support. Poarch Band of Clak Indlans works with tribal members to imDlement conservation mea5ure5. Al.bama Coopetativs Extqnrion syst.m atsists with producer meetings and technical assi5tanceto promote precision agriculture. Al.bama o.pa.t!flcnt ot Consewation and Natural Resourcc5 has technical resources for habitat recovery and monitoring. USDA-Agri(ultural Re3earch seryicc, Alabrm! assists with producer meetings, evaluation ofconservation tillage, and economic
evaluation.

Alabama Department of Environmrnt.l M.nrgement collects and analyzes water qualjty data which will assist
rerults of applied conservation practices.

NRCS

in monitoring