Okaloosa County BOCC — March 17, 2015 — Oka FWC FY 2015-16 Artificial Reef Const Grant App DRAFT (1)

CALL FOR - ARTIFICIAL REEF i CONSTRUCTION & MONITORING ' GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 | Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission .| Division of Marine Fisheries, Artificial Reef Program § 620 South Meridian Street, Box 4B2 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 487-0554 http://myfwc.com S eeseton o . 7, ° CALL FOR ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION AND @fl F{& MONITORING GRANT APPLICATIONS @ i FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 = FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (FWC) RP‘S\ DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT SGNOJ » FLOg ® The Florida Artificial Reef Program within the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management anticipates the availability of up to $300,000 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program funds, and an estimated $300,000 in state saltwater fishing license revenues for artificial reef related activities. These funds will be made available through a grants-in-aid program for artificial reef construction on a cost reimbursement basis and for science-based biological or socio-economic artificial reef monitoring projects on either a cost reimbursement or fee schedule basis. This year's application form is the same as last year's form, consistent with “The Florida Artificial Reef Program” rule, Chapter 68E-9 FAC. As in last year, a cap of $60,000 is set for an artificial reef project per fiscal year, and any project request greater than $60,000 will require additional information pursuant to Chapter 68E-9.006. Two applications are enclosed with this announcement, one for general artificial reef construction and one for general artificial reef monitoring. Applications for other complex planning, research and evaluation projects must be submitted in a formal proposal describing all details of the proposed project. Only one application for each type of project will be accepted from a given applicant. Eligible applicants include local coastal governments, State of Florida public universities and certain nonprofit organizations (one of whose principle charges as stated in By-laws or Articles of Incorporation is the construction and/or monitoring of artificial reefs), pursuant to Chapter 379.249, F.S. and according to the provisions of Chapter 68E-9 FAC. Other interested entities would need to work in partnership or be subcontracted by an eligible applicant entity. If multiple entities are submitting the same category of application from within the same county geographic boundaries, the highest ranked single project from within the county will be selected for that category. Applications must be received no later than Friday March 20, 2015, by 5 p.m. Artificial reef construction applications will not be considered unless accompanied by documentation of a permitted site valid through August 31, 2016. Any previously unsubmitted Materials Placement Reports (i.e. both grant and non-grant funded) must accompany all applications for all reef construction projects completed by the applicant during the previous fiscal year (as required by Federal artificial reef permit conditions). Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Competition for grant funding is expected to be high this year for the anticipated $600,000 funding. Last year $1,804,864 was requested and a total of $1,036,143 was funded with support from a supplemental legislative appropriation. The evaluation and ranking of applications is accomplished through a numerical rating process involving multiple independent reviewers and based directly on the provisions of Chapter 68E-9.005 FAC. Applicants should be aware that the FWC requires grant recipients to provide a substantial amount of contract management and project oversight, including direct supervision of all subcontractors. All applicants are strongly encouraged to develop and formulate a long-term plan for the development of artificial reefs in their geographical area and monitoring of their effectiveness. For any additional information regard