Community Affairs
Environment
The mission of the Environment Committee is to present an accurate picture of the environment, while addressing and engaging in solutions. Major topics have included: water quality, stormwater, wetlands, air quality, and the Superfund sites.
The Environment Committee develops workable approaches to environmental issues that balance high environmental standards and responsible business growth. Participation on this committee requires the approval of the Chair and the committee meets throughout the year.
Major Initiatives
The Pensacola Chamber has advocated for the relocation of the ECUA Downtown Wastewater Treatment Plant from its Main Street location since 2002. Through the Chamber’s leadership and the Environment Committee, there has been legislative and environmental support to facilitate continued progress of this relocation from downtown to a new site. A position statement is available under Position Statements.
The Pensacola Chamber has also advocated for soil cleanup of the Escambia Treating Company Superfund Site (ETC). The Environment Committee has been instrumental as a community stakeholder in facilitating positive input in the cleanup of the Escambia Treating Site. Major milestones were reached with a feasibility study (outlining cleanup alternatives in 2005) and a Record of Decision was issued in 2006 by EPA Region 4 outlining a capping and containment method of cleanup followed by remedial engineering completion in early 2007. Funding for the cleanup – approximately $31 million – was approved by EPA in the spring of 2007. Clean up construction is expected to begin in late 2007 and will continue for at least a one-year period.
For more information, contact Natalie Prim at 850.438.4081 ext. 235.