Subject:
Title
Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the Lake Seminole Sediment Removal and Restoration project. (Companion Item No. 16)
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the Lake Seminole Sediment Removal and Restoration project.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk to attest.
County PID No. 000157A, FDEP Agreement No LP52029, for grant funding in the amount of $1.5 million through June 30, 2024.
Body
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
3.4 Reduce/reuse/recycle resources including energy, water and solid waste
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
This agreement will provide $1.5 million in grant funding to hydraulically dredge, dewater, and beneficially reuse approximately 903,500 cubic yards of nutrient-rich organic sediments from the bottom of Lake Seminole. The ecological goals of the project are to improve water quality, fisheries habitat, and the overall health of the lake and downstream estuaries of Boca Ciega Bay and Tampa Bay.
Background Information:
In 2001, the County completed a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (WMP) to identify and prioritize projects within the watershed that would address the water quality impairments within Lake Seminole. The removal of nutrient-rich organic sediments from the bottom of Lake Seminole was identified as the highest ranked solution to improve the water quality and ecosystem health of the lake. The Project will help mitigate potential algae blooms and water quality degradation.
Commencement of construction activities are anticipated to begin December 2018 for a total construction duration of 1,634 consecutive calendar days to complete.
Fiscal Impact:
FDEP is providing $1.5 million in grant funding toward this project. The total project cost is $18,663,220.00, not including expenses already incurred.
Funding for this project is derived from:
Local Option Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas): $8,000,000.00
Southwest Florida Water Management District: $8,000,000.00
State of Florida Legislative Appropriation: 1,500,000.00
RESTORE Act: $1,163,220.00
This grant is included in the FY19 Tentative Budget. The RESTORE Act funding is not yet included in the FY19-24 Capital Improvement Plan and will be added during FY20 budget development.
Staff Member Responsible:
Rahim Harji, Assistant County Administrator
Partners:
FDEP
Pinellas County State Legislative Delegation
Attachments:
Grant Agreement