SUBJECT
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Approve Agreement No. 23 PLN124 between Polk County and State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to fund project Polk County Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment. (one-time revenue $500,000)
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DESCRIPTION
Polk County grew by 24.29 percent between 2010 and 2021 from 602,095 to748,365, making Polk the 9th most populous county in Florida. The 2000 square miles of Polk County and its 17 municipalities experience repetitive flooding following small to medium intensity storms, causing undue stress to residents and threats to infrastructure.
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 ($500,000) to complete a Polk County Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment (Project) that will include a comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment (VA) pursuant to Section 380.093, Florida Statutes (F.S.) as well as inform a Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS). The Project will include public outreach and stakeholder engagement.
The Polk County Vulnerability Assessment will allow the County, in partnership with the 17 municipalities, to identify and analyze water issues, critical assets, historic resources, and vulnerable populations. The assessment will be conducted consistent with the requirements of s.380.093, Florida Statutes to assess the adverse impacts from flooding resulting from increased rainfall events and more frequent and severe weather systems. The assessment will include, but not be limited to: community and stakeholder engagement; inventory of critical assets in the County and municipalities; flood modeling; and preparation of a report, maps, and tables. This project will result in a detailed assessment and analysis for Polk County that will provide a foundation to prioritize highly vulnerable assets and human life so as to integrate resiliency and adaptive strategies into future planning documents.
Approval of this grant agreement allows Polk County to begin implementing the scope and work necessary to complete a Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment. Polk plans to work in partnership with Central Florida Regional Planning Council to implement this grant agreement. There is no match requirement. The County will be reimbursed the entire $500,000 upon successful completion of the grant scope.
The project has been approved by STAC.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Agreement No. 23 PLN124 between Polk County and State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to fund project Polk County Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds have been included in the Community Investment Program’s Watershed/Water Quality Management Plans project.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Biehl, Land and Water Natural Areas Manager
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
tabithabiehl@polk-county.net <mailto:tabithabiehl@polk-county.net>
Gaye Sharpe, Director
Parks and Natural Resources Division
(863) 534-7377
gayesharpe@polk-county.net <mailto:gayesharpe@polk-county.net>