SUBJECT
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Approve the Conservation Easement with HGS, LLC, dba RES Environmental Operating Company (Grantor) in favor of Polk County, a political subdivision of the State of Florida (Grantee). (No Fiscal Impact)
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DESCRIPTION
October 17, 2023, Polk County ("County") and HGS, LLC, dba RES Environmental Operating Company ("RES") executed a Comprehensive Services Agreement ("CSA") contract number 2023-059, to improve and restore the Peace Creek Canal streambank through the Wilson Ranch Property. The project provides many benefits to the County, including water quality improvement at the Headwaters of the Peace River, habitat enhancement for wildlife and fisheries, and increases flood storage capacity. The CSA provided the framework for RES to restore and construct a treatment wetland system, providing specific tasks and deliverables. In general, the project is comprised of three larger phases, Pre-construction Activities, Construction and Monitoring.
To date, RES is nearing the completion of the pre-construction phase. Pre-construction activities include such as tasks as site conditions report, permitting applications, geo tech work, surveying and design plans. While some of these tasks are ongoing, majority of these deliverables have been submitted to the COUNTY. Funding for the project, through the Pre-construction phase, has been provided through a series of State Appropriations and State Grants.
In addition, RES has agreed to dedicate a Conservation Easement in favor of the COUNTY. The Conservation Easement provides direction for RES to complete the remaining tasks in the CSA and ensures the County and State's investments and interests are protected in perpetuity.
The project includes construction of strategic water quality structures, including hydrating or enhancing historic wetlands and/or creating new wetlands to address water resource issues and nutrient loading in local waterbodies. RES plans to start construction Winter of 2025.
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