Pinellas County secures $29.4m federal watershed grant to repair Hurricane Milton channel damage

Pinellas County secures $29.4m federal watershed grant to repair Hurricane Milton channel damageThe Board of County Commissioners approved multiple state and federal funding agreements to stabilize eroded creeks and upgrade drainage infrastructure, while public works officials highlighted ongoing regulatory hurdles in accessing private property for emergency repairs.

The county accepted a $29.4 million Emergency Watershed Protection grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to repair banks along Curlew Creek, Jerry Branch, Bee Branch, Channel R, and Joe's Creek.

Public Works Director Kelly Hammerleavy noted that the county cannot touch private property channels during flood emergencies without proper rights or flow easements.

The board also approved two Resilient Florida grant agreements with the state Department of Environmental Protection totaling over $10 million in state funds and local matches for drainage improvements at Crystal Beach and 98th to 100th Way.

Separately, the board approved a $1.32 million contract amendment with US Submergent Technologies for utility grit removal services.

Pinellas County is moving forward with a massive slate of stormwater and watershed rehabilitation projects following the approval of over $39 million in state and federal grant agreements. During a June 16, 2026 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously greenlit funding to stabilize major creeks damaged by Hurricane Milton and upgrade local drainage infrastructure. The centerpiece of the approvals is a $29.4 million grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Emergency Watershed Protection program. The fully grant-funded initiative requires no county match and will cover 100% of construction and technical services to restore eroded banks along Curlew Creek, Jerry Branch, Bee Branch, Channel R, and Joe's Creek. Public Works Director Kelly Hammerleavy explained that the county was required to pursue NRCS funding rather than FEMA for the channel restoration. "Instead of going to FEMA, they require that you first go to NRCS to request that funding," Hammerleavy said. "It's taken quite a long time to get here, but they do pay 100% of the construction." The discussion highlighted ongoing challenges with maintaining drainage networks that cross private land. Hammerleavy noted that the county lacks flow easements for several major drainage channels, preventing staff from clearing blockages even during storm events. "The very firm county policy that we don't touch private property even in the state of emergency unless we have the rights in place," she advised the board. In addition to the federal funds, the board approved two 50/50 matching grant agreements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Resilient Florida program. The county will receive $3.88 million for the 98th to 100th Way Drainage Improvements project and $6.16 million for the Crystal Beach drainage and roadway improvements project. The local matches will be funded through the county's Local Infrastructure Sales Surtax, known as Penny for Pinellas. In a separate wastewater action, the board approved a $1.32 million contract amendment with US Submergent Technologies LLC for grit removal services. The amendment extends the company's contract with Pinellas County Utilities through August 2028, bringing the total not-to-exceed amount to $3.54 million.