SUBJECT
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Approve Agreement WSA16 for FDEP AWS Grant Funding (Action)
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DESCRIPTION
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 provided billions in funding to state and local governments to aid in the recovery from the budgetary, economic, and financial impacts of the pandemic. Eligible projects include investments in water infrastructure.
A portion of Florida’s allocation has been attached to the state’s Alternative Water Supply (AWS) program. To be considered for state AWS funding an application must submitted through the FDEP grant portal. In 2023, the Southwest Florida Water Management District submitted an application on behalf of the PRWC. As a result, a total of $13,000,000 in grant funding has been awarded to the PRWC for the Southeast Wellfield project, a portion of which will is funded by ARPA.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has provided grant agreement WSA16 for these funds. The agreement has the following provisions:
• Provides $4,600,000 in grant funds for the Southeast Wellfield Project to be used for the construction of raw water production wells.
• The contract for the use of the $4,600,000 must be executed by December 31, 2024.
• Funds are available to reimburse costs beginning July 1, 2023 and must be expended by December 31, 2026.
The remainder of the $13,000,000 allocated to this program will be allocated through separate agreements with the State or SWFWMD.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the board authorize the Executive Director to sign the FDEP Standard Grant Agreement WSA16.
FISCAL IMPACT
The execution of grant agreement WSA16 will make available an additional $4,600,000 in Federal grant funding for the Southeast Wellfield Project raw water well construction currently underway with Florida Design Drilling.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Eric DeHaven
Mary Thomas