SUBJECT
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Approve Standard Grant Agreement No. 24PLN59 between Polk County and State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to fund project called the Polk County Adaptation Plan. (one-time revenue $300,000)
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DESCRIPTION
Polk County growth rate over the past several years has made Polk one of the most populous counties in Florida. Over 2000 square miles of Polk County and its 17 municipalities may be considered interior Counties but due to intensification of extreme weather events have experienced repetitive flooding following small to medium intensity storms, causing undue stress to residents and threats to infrastructure. Stormwater infrastructure can also have a direct correlation to improving water quality of our lakes and streams. Managing the amount of surface water available in Polk County requires careful planning. Polk County wants to keep as much surface water within the Polk County, while planning for and implementing stormwater infrastructure that reduces personal property due to flooding damage.
To address these concerns, Polk County submitted a grant application to FDEP as a part of the resiliency planning program. The State awarded Polk County $300,000 to complete a Polk County Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment - Adaptation Plan (PROJECT) that will extend the efforts of the comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment (VA) plan pursuant to Section 380.093, Florida Statutes (F.S.). The Adaptation Plan will better inform Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) projects and assist in emergency operation center planning during storm events. This Adaptation Plan aims to provide a better understanding and guidance for drainage and water quality planning and prioritization of project.
The PROJECT will allow the County, to better model adverse impacts to critical assets and individual parcels by modeling compounding storm events and flooding resulting from increased, more frequent and severe rainfall events. The assessment will include, but not be limited to: community and stakeholder engagement; flood modeling; preparation of a report, maps, tables and conceptual projects that will address surface water management infrastructure needs. This project will result in a detailed assessment and analysis that Polk County, municipalities, and citizens may use to be better informed about possible conditions during extreme storm events. Polk County may also use this information to inform Local Mitigation Strategy updates, and plan water quality improvement projects.
Approval of this grant agreement allows Polk County to begin implementing the scope and work necessary to complete a Polk County Adaptation Plan. There is no match requirement. The County will be reimbursed the entire $300,000 upon successful completion of the grant scope.
The project has been approved by STAC.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Agreement No. 24 PLN124 between Polk County and State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to fund project called Polk County Adaptation Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds have been included in the FY24/25 Parks & Natural Resources Community Investment Program’s Watershed/Water Quality Management Plans project through special revenue grant fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Biehl, Land and Water Natural Areas Manager
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net
Gaye Sharpe, Director
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
gayesharpe@polk-county.net