Environment

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Department of Health in Walton County issues rabies alert

Walton County – The Florida Department of Health in Walton County issued a rabies alert for the central part of Walton County, specifically the Freeport and Woodlawn areas. This is in response to a second fox that tested positive on Oct. 2, 2015. All residents and visitors in Walton County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness...

Volunteers needed for invasive plant removal

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) is seeking volunteers to assist with invasive plant removal. The Longleaf Alliance is partnering with CBA to cut down invasive Chinese tallow and mimosa trees and you will be helping haul the tree debris (limbs and cut up trunks) from participating properties to a collection point. Wear clothes and close-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring sunscreen, snacks, a water bottle and a hat. Water, snacks, and gloves will be provided. Meet at the...

Two water quality advisories issued for south Walton beach locations

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October. The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water...

Walton County road closures due to inclement weather Sept. 29, 2015

Updated 12 p.m. NORTH WALTON -Engles Rd.- Water running across it at new bridge -Red Hill Rd/ Sherwood Rd. – Water on the roadway around the bridge. -Indian Creek Ranch Rd. – Currently is impassable, water over road at bridges -White Creek Rd. – Water over the road at bridges -McKinnon Bridge Rd. – Water is currently over the bridge. -Walton Bridge Rd. – Water is currently over the bridge. -W C Currington Rd. – Water over the road at...

Northwest Florida Water Management District adopts budget focused on springs, water resource protection

PANAMA CITY – The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board on Sept. 24 adopted a $55.7 million budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16, which begins Oct. 1. The budget represents an increase of $2.1 million from Fiscal Year 2014-15. “This budget shows, once again, the Board’s commitment to the people and natural resources of northwest Florida,” said Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District. A majority of the spending in the final budget is directed toward...

Guided tour of Choctawhatchee River and Morrison Springs Sept. 25

Time: 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), in partnership with Northwest Florida State College, are offering the fall season of their popular eco-tourism initiative, Eco Adventures of Walton County. Learn about unique places tucked away along the Choctawhatchee River. Learn about our precious water resources, flood plains, where the river flows, and why it is ever changing. Then we will drive to Morrison Springs. Lean about how many millions of gallons of water Morrison Springs emits every...

International Coastal Cleanup Day in South Walton Sept. 19

Visit South Walton is hosting the 2015 International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the following beach accesses: Dune Allen, Ed Walline, Inlet Beach and Miramar Beach. It is easy to get involved, there is no age limit or special skills required — supplies and water to be provided to all volunteers. For more information on how you can support beach cleanup in South Walton contact Stacey Infinger at (850) 267-4578...

New interpretive signs embellish South Walton’s coastal dune lakes

Educational interpretive signs now embellish five of the 15 coastal dune lakes in South Walton. Stallworth, Alligator, Eastern, and Deer Lakes have joined Western Lake with educational messages along the 18.6-mile Timpoochee bicycle/walking trail. At the suggestion of the Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board (CDLAB), and with the educational resources of Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), the Walton County Tourist Development Council (Visit South Walton) installed the informative signage. The first sign was placed on Western Lake along the trail on...