Turkey Creek Community Meeting
A proposed project to develop North Gulfport would first require the wetlands to be filled, something many Turkey Creek residents are not in favor of. Residents sounded off at tonight’s Turkey Creek community meeting with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Pollution in Gulfport’s Turkey Creek has been an ongoing issue amongst residents, city officials and environmental organizations. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency made a trip to the Gulf Coast to discuss these issues with residents and see the creek first hand. EPA Senior Advisor Makara Rumley said, “That’s important to touch, see, feel and smell the environment and that’s why we decided to come down. We were here a year ago. This is us just touching base, having face time.”
Dozens gathered at the Good Deeds Community Center to hear about past successes and future plans for the Turkey Creek water shed. Gulfport Councilwoman Ella Holmes said, “We have many stakeholder groups, community groups, other 501-C3’s that are helping and we’re just very excited about all of this coming together.”
Officials of the EPA updated residents on the creek’s quality and residents informed officials of recent concerns, such as wetlands. “The residents will not only express concerns for the filling of wetlands or the TMDL to see how we can get that better cleaned up but we also will be looking at the BP money,” said Holmes.
EPA officials tell News 25 the issues concerning Turkey Creek will not be resolved in a day but holding these interactive meetings is a step toward progress. “Dealing with environmental challenges, there is not a short-term solution. Sometimes it takes a long simmer on the stove before you get that good pot of soup,” said Rumley.
Nearly $8 million will soon go toward the restoration of Turkey Creek.
Pollution in Gulfport’s Turkey Creek has been an ongoing issue amongst residents, city officials and environmental organizations. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency made a trip to the Gulf Coast to discuss these issues with residents and see the creek first hand. EPA Senior Advisor Makara Rumley said, “That’s important to touch, see, feel and smell the environment and that’s why we decided to come down. We were here a year ago. This is us just touching base, having face time.”
Dozens gathered at the Good Deeds Community Center to hear about past successes and future plans for the Turkey Creek water shed. Gulfport Councilwoman Ella Holmes said, “We have many stakeholder groups, community groups, other 501-C3’s that are helping and we’re just very excited about all of this coming together.”
Officials of the EPA updated residents on the creek’s quality and residents informed officials of recent concerns, such as wetlands. “The residents will not only express concerns for the filling of wetlands or the TMDL to see how we can get that better cleaned up but we also will be looking at the BP money,” said Holmes.
EPA officials tell News 25 the issues concerning Turkey Creek will not be resolved in a day but holding these interactive meetings is a step toward progress. “Dealing with environmental challenges, there is not a short-term solution. Sometimes it takes a long simmer on the stove before you get that good pot of soup,” said Rumley.
Nearly $8 million will soon go toward the restoration of Turkey Creek.
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