Sabu Williams, President of the Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP, has advocated for funding to fix the multiple issues that plague the area. In a statement to Mid Bay News, he explained that several governments bear responsibility for the issues that take place in the area, which sits at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale, and is inhabited by a higher proportion of minorities than the surrounding area.

    “Gap Creek runs from federal property at Hurlburt Field into the City of Fort Walton Beach, then into the county, through the City of Cinco Bayou, and finally out into the bay,” Williams explained, “That means federal property, county property, multiple municipalities, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers all have some responsibility for the creek.”

The Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP has described the situation as an environmental justice issue, noting that Lovejoy and Sylvania Heights are historically Black, lower-income neighborhoods that lack the stormwater infrastructure found in nearby incorporated areas such as Cinco Bayou. Many homes were built decades ago without curbs, gutters, or storm drains, leaving residents especially vulnerable to flooding during even moderate rain.

Water testing has shown Gap Creek is impaired for bacteria, including E. coli and fecal coliform, raising concerns about exposure during flood events. Residents have also reported mold, property damage, and health concerns associated with recurring flooding.

 A previous article posted by Mid Bay News says:

   “The NAACP report says Gap Creek is impaired by E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria, with levels exceeding state thresholds. The report points to possible sources, including failing septic systems, illicit discharges, animal waste carried by runoff, and pollutants associated with commercial or industrial activity.”

Despite these long-standing issues, responsibility for fixing them is divided among multiple agencies:

• Okaloosa County oversees stormwater in unincorporated areas but does not have a dedicated stormwater utility for neighborhoods like Sylvania Heights.

• The City of Fort Walton Beach manages stormwater within city limits and has invested in drainage and retention projects in nearby neighborhoods, highlighting disparities tied to jurisdictional boundaries.

• The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) controls Beal Parkway (State Road 189), where a major drainage pipe collapsed in 2025, underscoring the fragility of aging infrastructure.

• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regulates water quality and has classified Gap Creek as an impaired waterbody.

• Federal interests, including land associated with military operations near the creek’s headwaters, add another layer of regulatory review and coordination.

Advocates say this fragmentation has led to years of studies, plans, and discussions — but limited construction and on-the-ground improvements. Williams comments on the studies, saying, 

   “There have been numerous studies done over the years… now we’re being told that they need to do another study… They’re going to sink $500,000 into another study, which is probably going to take a little bit more than a year… We’re saying, ‘Look, I think we have a study. We know what’s going on.’ In fact, you can see the damage… You don’t need a study to see that those things need to be done.”