Subject:
Title
Agreement with the Gulf Consortium for partial grant funding of the Lake Seminole Sediment Removal and Restoration project.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Agreement with the Gulf Consortium for partial grant funding of the Lake Seminole Sediment Removal and Restoration project.
• Agreement is part of Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s Spill Impact Component.
• Agreement will fund dredging of approximately 100,000 cubic yards of organic sediments from Lake Seminole as part of the overall project.
• Also provides funds for post-dredging monitoring efforts for three years.
Gulf Consortium Project No. 16-1; County PID No. 000157A; funding in amount of $1,160,000.00 through September 30, 2026. Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Court to attest.
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.2 Preserve and manage environmental lands, beaches, parks, and historical assets
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
This agreement will fund dredging of approximately 100,000 cubic yards from Lake Seminole as part of the overall dredging project. The goal of the project is to improve water quality and ecological conditions in the lake; reduce downstream nutrient loads to Boca Ciega Bay; and increase seagrass coverage in Long Bayou and Boca Ciega Bay by improving estuarine water clarity. Additionally, this agreement will fund post-dredging monitoring efforts on Lake Seminole for three (3) years to assess project goals.
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Background Information:
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council was established in 2012 to make funds available for the restoration and protection of the Gulf Coast Region through a trust fund in the Treasury of the United States known as the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.
Funds were made available through the Financial Assistance Award between the Gulf Consortium and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. For this agreement, Pinellas County is the sub-recipient of the award from the Gulf Consortium and the principal in charge of conducting the project.
Fiscal Impact:
The Gulf Consortium will reimburse the County the amount of $1,160,000.00 for approved expenses related to the Lake Seminole Sediment Removal and Restoration Project. This project is included in the approved FY20-25 Capital Improvement Plan, although this grant is not included as a revenue source and will be added during FY21 budget development.
Total project budget is $17,472,400.00, including FY19 estimated expenses of $7,750,000.00. By adding this grant, Penny for Pinellas Local Infrastructure Sales Surtax budget will be reduced from $7,986,200.00 to $6,826,200.00. Additional funding sources include SWFWMD ($7,986,200.00) and FDEP ($1,500,000.00).
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Interim Director, Public Works
Partners:
Gulf Consortium
SWFWMD
FDEP
Attachments:
Agreement
Attachments to Agreement
Project Location Map