SUBJECT
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Approve Standard Grant Amendment 1 to Agreement #LPA0436 between State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Polk County to fund the Peace Creek Water Preservation Project. (Time-extension only)
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DESCRIPTION
Protection of water resources is a priority for Polk County. This project assists Polk County in the preservation of water within our geographic boundaries and provides Polk County and partners with the best regional approach to address preservation of the surface water supply.
The project is a multifaceted initiative to establish a corridor of wetland treatment systems with the goals to increase reliability of water in the Peace Creek Canal and provide surface water quality treatment. The project may provide additional benefits, increased flood protection of lands along the canal, conservation of natural systems, improve drainage in the watershed, restore degraded wetland functions and enhance water storage along the Peace Creek Canal.
Polk County and FDEP fully executed Grant Agreement (Agreement # LPA0436), through the Heartland Funding Initiative on December 14, 2023. The project covers multiple locations in the Peace Creek Canal basin to improve water quality, treat stormwater, provide flood protection, and improve wildlife enhancement along the Peace Creek Canal.
Amendment #1 enables the County to complete the following two tasks, conduct a pre-design study ($1.5 million) and acquisition ($1.5 million) of different historic wetlands within the Peace Creek canal. The implementation of this regional project maximizes the potential for improvement of reliability of water in the system and regional water quality with side benefits of water storage, and flood protection. The amendment extends the grant Agreement’s date of expiration to March 31, 2028, while the project milestones for completion are extended to September 30, 2027. The Amendment also revises the Agreement’s audit requirements and provides for a new Progress Report Form.
The project has been approved by STAC.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Amendment #1 to Standard Grant Agreement between FDEP and Polk County to fund the Peace Creek Water Preservation Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted in the Special Revenue Grant Fund within the five-year Parks and Natural Resources CIP.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Biehl, Director
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net