Subject:
Title
Notice of grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Marine Debris Program for removal of waste tires from County artificial reef locations.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the notice of grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Marine Debris Program for removal of waste tires from County artificial reef locations.
• Grant award from NOAA provides funding to remove waste tires placed as artificial reef habitat from locations off the Gulf Coast of Pinellas County.
• Funding in the amount of $2,250,000.00 was awarded on July 24, 2024, for a 3-year period through June 30, 2027. Matching funds in the amount of $314,900.00 are required.
• Federal Grant revenues in the amount of $2,250,000.00 and matching funds in the amount of $314,900.00 are included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget in the Solid Waste Revenue and Operating Fund.
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.4 Reduce/reuse/recycle resources including energy, water and solid waste
Summary:
Summary
The federal grant award funds are only authorized to fund removal of marine debris, primarily waste tires from artificial reef locations off the gulf coast of Pinellas County known to have received waste tires for the purpose of creating fish habitat. Allowable activities include funding competitively solicited contract agreements with private contractors to remove waste tires from five identified priority locations. Matching fund activities include site surveys, community outreach, permit coordination with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE), contract administration and oversight, debris hauling, and debris disposal.
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Background Information:
From the 1970’s through the 1980’s waste tires were collected, bundled with stainless steel strapping, and deployed as artificial reef modules to permitted artificial reef locations off the gulf coast of Pinellas County with the intent of improving fishing and diving opportunities to the community. Over time, these waste tire modules have become unstable in the environment breaking loose of the strapping and becoming marine debris. This grant provides an opportunity to locate and collect waste tires remaining within the five identified artificial reef locations, and to remove them from the environment to protect naturally existing marine habitat and the gulf coast beaches.
Fiscal Impact:
Total federal grant award revenue is $2,250,000.00 in FY25 with a matching expense of $314,900.00 from the Solid Waste operating fund FY25 through FY27.
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Sacco, Director, Solid Waste
Partners:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Army Corp of Engineers
Keep Pinellas Beautiful
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Attachments:
Notice of Award NA24NOSX999C0002-T1-01