SUBJECT
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Approve Standard Grant Agreement #LPA0436 between State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to fund the Peace Creek Water Preservation Project. (one-time revenue $3,000,000)
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DESCRIPTION
Polk County has been awarded a State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Grant Agreement (Agreement # LPA0436), through the Heartland Funding Initiative. The project covers three different project locations in the Peace Creek Canal to improve water quality, treat stormwater, provide flood protection, and improve wildlife enhancement along the Peace Creek Canal.
Water is a limited commodity. 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.
While requiring no match, the grant agreement enables the County to complete the following tasks, conduct a pre-design study ($1.5 mil), acquisition of lands ($.5 mil) and implement restoration ($1 mil) 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 project has been approved by STAC.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Standard Grant Agreement between State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Polk County to fund the Peace Creek Water Preservation Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $3,000,000 are budgeted and available in the Special Revenue Grants Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Biehl, Land and Water Natural Areas Manager
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net