Subject:
Title
2019 Federal Legislative Priorities.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the 2019 Federal Legislative Priorities.
• The 2019 Federal Legislative Program illustrates the Board’s federal priorities for the upcoming year.
• The program is a result of discussions with the Board, County staff, the Pinellas Federal Legislative Delegation, and the County’s federal governmental relations firm.
• Priorities include:
1. Support a long-term extension to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that ensures financial sustainability, while not pricing out policy holders. This includes providing premium discounts for private and community based mitigation efforts.
2. Support an additional $1 million of funding for the Army Corps feasibility study to assess coastal storm risk management to extend for 50 additional years the federal authorizations for the Treasure Island and Long Key Nourishment Projects currently set to expire in 2025 and 2030, respectfully.
3. Support the continued funding for Pinellas County beach nourishment projects including Pass-a-Grille Beach, which is in an eroded state, not funded, and tentatively scheduled for nourishment in 2020.
4. Request the Army Corps of Engineers reevaluate their Perpetual Storm Damage Reduction Easement policy, requiring beachfront property owner easements from areas landward of the Erosion Control Line (ECL) where the Army Corps has historically placed sand.
5. Support regional solutions, approaches, and funding opportunities that address transportation needs.
6. Support funding for hardening and increased resiliency of infrastructure.
7. Support an extension to the current moratorium on oil drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico within 125 miles of Florida, set to expire in 2022.
8. Oppose expansion of additional Gulf of Mexico lease agreements in Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
• In addition to the priorities included in the program, County staff, and our federal governmental relations firm, Van Scoyoc Associates, will closely monitor all issues that emerge, and have potential to impact Pinellas County Government’s ability to deliver services to its residents and visitors alike.
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Strategic Plan:
Deliver First Class Service to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
The Federal Legislative Program illustrates the Board’s federal priorities for the upcoming year. In addition to the priorities included in the program, County staff, and the County’s federal governmental relations firm, Van Scoyoc Associates, will closely monitor all issues that emerge, and have potential to impact Pinellas County Government’s ability to deliver services to its residents and visitors alike.
Background Information:
After receiving input from the Board in January, a preliminary program was introduced and discussed with the Pinellas Federal Legislative Delegation at the February 21, 2019 joint meeting. Feedback was incorporated into the program which is presented today.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Intergovernmental Liaison, Office of the County Administrator
Partners:
Federal Legislative Delegation
Van Scoyoc Associates, Federal Governmental Relations Firm
Attachments:
2019 Federal Legislative Program