by Hunter Dawkins

Tuesday afternoon on election day, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant traveled to the Gulf Coast to unveil the architectural designs for the first phase of beach storm water outfalls at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Bolton Building in Biloxi.

This idea from Bryant features the construction of three beach storm water outfalls to be built over existing outfall pipes along the sand beach to help reduce the number of pipes within the 26 miles-beach of Harrison County.  The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) will be funding these beach storm water outfalls.

“The Gulf Coast delegation has been doing a remarkable job,” said Governor Bryant speaking to The Gazebo Gazette referring to the Coastal legislators in helping with this project.  “Getting 75% of the money from the BP Funds is remarkable,” as Bryant was indicating to future projects.

This project offers an appeal to tourism from the beach in Harrison County, which help has been provided by MDMR, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA).

“The Department of Marine Resources will oversee Phase I of the beach storm water outfalls project and it will soon go out for a bid,” MDMR Executive Director Joe Spraggins said.  “The Mississippi Gulf Coast boasts 26 miles of wonderful beaches, and I know this will be a great addition to them.”

Before leaving, Governor Bryant named three members to the Gulf Coast Restoration Board, as this was created when the state legislature passed the BP Funding towards projects during the special session in August.  Ashley Edwards, President of the Gulf Coast Business Council was named the chairman, Moses Feagin of Mississippi Power as the Vice Chairman, and Colonel Becky Jenner, the Workforce Development Manager of Mississippi Power to the Board.

Col. Jenner, a former school board member of the Pass Christian School District expressed her waiting until the additional four members are named before developing a plan.  “Under the guidance of the MDA, we will take a look at the applications.”