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Work Begins To Remove Log Jam From Escambia River
December 23, 2014
Work is scheduled to be underway to remove a log jam from the Escambia River south of Century…nearly two years after the Escambia County Commission first awarded a bid for the project.
In February 2013, Escambia County awarded a $68,498 contract to Florida Forest Recyclers, LLC to remove the vessels and associated debris — including thousands of logs — from the Escambia River about one mile north of the Cotton Lake boat ramp. The agreement was not executed as written at that time.
The contract was awarded again in May 2013 for the same amount to the same contractor but was revised to waive the bond requirements at the request of then Interim County Administrator George Touart. The agreement provides for a one-time payment upon final completion and inspection of the project. The standard practice of the County is to require payment and performance bonds for projects in excess of $100,000. The project was set to begin by June 2013.
The 2013 bid from Florida Forest Recyclers was over a half million dollars lower than bids received from two Alabama companies. A $527,000 bid was received from Crowder Gulf Joint Ventures of Theodore, while DRC Emergency Services, LLC bid $792,622.14.
In November, Keith Wilkins, director of the Escambia County Community and Environmental Department, said Florida Forest Recyclers had reorganized into a new company, Southern Forest Recyclers. He said Southern Forest Recyclers has a $2 million contract for the wood from the logjam, and that the company was awaiting their final work permits from the Water Management District.
Liz Henderson of Southern Forest Recyclers said Monday that the company now has all of the permits needed to being work Tuesday. She said the company was moving forward with no money or assistance from Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Boaters are asked to use care and obey posted signs for safety near the project, and boaters are asked not to enter the Escambia River north of Cotton Lake.
There is no time frame for the completion of the project, which is very much weather dependent, said Henderson.
Pictured top: A logjam stretches bank to bank, blocking the Escambia River near McDavid. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
20 Responses to “Work Begins To Remove Log Jam From Escambia River”
Any update on progress??
>>Is there any update on the progress of this?
They are still working as of a check this week.
Is there any update on the progress of this?
Is there any update on the progress of this?
I agree with Jane.
Without a performance bond, here is what will happen……………..they will get into removing the jamb.
Then they will find that there are not enough suitable logs to fulfil the $2 million dollar contract they claim to have.
The logjam contractor will then stop the work and walk away early on before they rack up job expenses.
If it were not for the magnitude of this jam, locals would have cut it out long ago.
If I had a $1.00 dollar bill for every log that has been dragged from these local rivers and creeks, without permits, in the last forty years.
Red tape was not meant to be cut through, it is best circumvented, when circumstance permits.
$70k is a steal for that job. We cut and pulled logs out of that jam several years just to get to Posten’s bend from Cotton lake. Still think it woulda been cheaper to let the F-15’s from Eglin clean up that mess. Glad to hear it.
First, so what if its been 2 years. Is it causing anyone loss of liberty that the log jam hasnt already been doing for years anyway ? Second, i think saving half a million dollars is great. Maybe, just maybe, the county can use that saved money to upgrade boat ramps and recreation along the river.
This company has given a bare bones bid for what it “thinks”, cost will be, but if you’ve ever seen the mass of this jam, you’d agree their in for a surprise. One little problem could cost big money. Not to mention how dangerous it is. Besides, their taking a huge risk by doing the work up front for possible profit later. As someone who provides my family with many meals from this river, I AM GRATEFUL. Merry Christmas.
What Gene said!!!!
Well since there are so many guild lines to go by it’s not exactly easy to just go do it. It going to be a very timely proses an could u imagine the weight of a job like that. If u have never seen the jam with your own two eyes your opinion doesn’t count. I myself am the one that’s putting my life at risk wading with a saw in my hands in the jam and have seen nothing but people adding in there ignorance. And for all the people that believe there’s just a pile of gold floating in the water lol much more then just going threw n grabbing the pretty nice logs. But to remove all of the debris in the jam and keeping the river clean down stream. Just seeing the force of the water coming threw those logs is enough to make u krendge. Not to mention that $70k will it even foot the expenses to remove it.
I am proud the Commissioners waited to save the “TAX PAYERS” the money.
I will also be glad to see the River opened back up for access. It is a great place to
take your family Fishing. We are Blessed to live close to such a Natural River.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas !!!!!!!
No $ out of pocket to have an obstruction and hazard removed, is a good deal. They should make a sizable profit for their efforts. Hopefully we can ensure that in the future, stray logs can be harvested prior to forming a jam.
This contractor is not trying to get rich on the contract, Their fortune awaits them afterwards. The logs in the river will bring big $$$$ in the right market. They are being paid to remove a Goldmine.
Has anyone ever tried to get a permit from the EPA?
They are lucky it only took 2 years.
If they would of spent the 700,000 you folks would be complaining about that. Be happy today, god loves you !!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!
Jane, I would agree, but would ask, it was you, would you wait 2 years to save $430,000 if you were paying it…. Because I would & I am as a tax payer?
I have to give them this one. It was worth the wait.
First of all its not the contractors fault. It takes time for permits. Secondly, this log jam has been here for over 20 years, so what debris does make it, is not going to cause that much of a mess considering what is already there.
I agree with Jane and have always said CHEAPER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER!
When will they learn?
This contract was set up in may 2013. This is almost January of 2015. I would say that cheaper is not always better since absolutely no progress has been made at this point. If heavy rains or a bad storm comes in it will only make this last longer and more debris will pile up. Not putting a time frame on this work contract was poor judgement. Sorry, I am not impressed with the job the county is doing with this situation.