Subject:
Title
Resolution to submit the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan Amendment No. 1 to the United States Treasury Office of Gulf Coast Restoration.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution to submit the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies (RESTORE) of the Gulf Coast Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MIP) Amendment No. 1 to the United States Treasury Office of Gulf Coast Restoration.
• RESTORE Act established funding from Deepwater Horizon penalties for projects that benefit the Gulf and County.
• County submitted original MIP in 2015, and those projects are in progress or completed.
• This amendment will add four projects to apply for grant funding:
o Philippe Park Seawall Enhancement Segments 1 & 2.
o Keystone Ranchettes Septic-to-Sewer conversion.
o Fort DeSoto Campground and Bunces Pass Shoreline Protection.
o Lofty Pines Septic-to-Sewer conversion.
• No signature is required in Amendment No. 1.
• RESTORE Act funding for Fort Desoto Wave Attenuation Devices for Shoreline Protection project (006686B), is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 - 2031 (FY26-FY31) Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), funded by the Capital Projects Fund, in the amount of $2,258,000.00 The FY26-FY31 CIP does not include RESTORE Act funding for the other 3 projects included in the amended MIP or the increased funding for Fort Desoto Wave Attenuation. Appropriation of this grant funding will be requested in FY27 and FY28.
Authorize the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest and record this resolution in the public records of the County.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.2 Maintain and enhance County infrastructure.
1.4 Improve environmental quality.
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation.
1.6 Ensure sustainable water management.
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities.
Summary:
Summary
RESTORE Act Direct Component funds are acquired through a County-proposed and Treasury-approved MIP. The adoption of this Resolution will add four (4) projects and amend the County RESTORE Act MIP.
The following projects are eligible for RESTORE federal funding to benefit the Gulf of America and the County:
1) Philippe Park Seawall Enhancement Segments 1 & 2 intends to protect coastal park infrastructure and enhance the natural environment.
2) Keystone Ranchettes Septic-to-Sewer conversion intends to reduce pollution loads and protect natural resources through infrastructure investment.
3) Fort DeSoto Campground and Bunces Pass Shoreline Protection intends to protect vital coastal infrastructure.
4) Lofty Pines Septic-to-Sewer conversion intends to mitigate degradation to water resources as a component of a 2019 Legislative Appropriation.
As required by RESTORE Act grant provisions, the draft MIP Amendment was duly advertised in the Tampa Bay Times and underwent a 45-day public comment period from January 25, 2026, to March 11, 2026. No public comments were received on the matter. A copy of the Affidavit of Publication is attached to this Legistar review. Body
Background Information:
The RESTORE Act was signed into law on July 6, 2012. The Act establishes the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. Under the Federal Clean Water Act, eighty percent (80%) of the civil penalties paid in connection with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are being deposited through 2030. Varying amounts in the Trust Fund are available to Gulf Coast stakeholders, particularly states and counties, from three (3) distinct components: The Direct Component, the Comprehensive Plan Component, and the Spill Impact Component. The Direct Component, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, provides funding directly to Florida counties for ecosystem restoration, economic development, and tourism promotion.
Approximately $6.75 million in Direct Component funds are currently available to the County with additional funds becoming available over time. The U.S. Treasury issued four (4) grant awards to the County in 2016 totaling $1.54 million under the existing MIP. These projects are in progress or completed. The MIP will be amended with additional projects as Direct Component funds continue to become available. Projected cost of the four (4) projects included in this plan amendment totals $7,003,941.00. Project expenditures are planned through the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) or department operating budgets for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2028. The direct costs of project implementation(s) are eligible for full RESTORE Act cost reimbursement.
Fiscal Impact:
Grant funding, as represented in the amended MIP, will provide reimbursement of $7,003,941.
RESTORE Act funds for Fort Desoto Wave Attenuation Devices for Shoreline Protection, project 006686B, are included in the FY26-FY31 CIP under the Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $2,258,000. The amended MIP requests $3,324,000, an increase of $1,066,000. Additional RESTORE funding will offset other funding sources such as Penny for Pinellas.
The FY26-FY31 CIP does not include RESTORE Act funding for:
• Septic to Sewer Program Phase 1, project 006052A
• Lofty Pines Phase 1 Septic Tank Abandonment
• RESTORE Philippe Park Living Shoreline
Appropriation of grant funding for these projects will be requested in FY27 and FY28.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
U.S. Treasury Office of Gulf Coast Restoration
Pinellas County Utilities Department
Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources
City of Dunedin
Attachments:
Resolution 26-
Amendment No. 1 - MIP and Matrix
MIP and Matrix - FE
Public Works Director Memorandum
Affidavit of Publication
OMB Intent to Apply Review Brooker Creek
OMB Intent to Apply Review Seawall Enhancement
OMB Intent to Apply Review Bunces Pass
OMB Intent to Apply Review Lofty Pines