Okaloosa County BOCC — July 2, 2013 — reading text

Eglin Air Force Base’s northern boundary and is an extremely important part of a greater Shoal River Buffer Initiative that will be used as a land buffer between Eglin and the surrounding privately owned properties. The project is within a locally designated Military Influence Planning Area III, which encompasses rural areas of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties that are vital air bridges to and from the Eglin reservation, including low-level ingress/egress corridors and the cruise missile corridor. Of particular concern is noise and safety associated with low-level aircraft, particularly during takeoff and landing operations. Acquisition of the subject property will preclude such conflicts in the subject area. By precluding encroachment in the flight path, the proposed land acquisition project protects and enhances the viability of Duke Field for existing and future potential operations. If Duke Field’s mission capability is reduced due to 2 Packet Pg. 250  2013-2014 Defense Infrastructure Grant Program encroachment in its flight path, the Air Force will have to alter operations and may have to undertake the costly relocation of personnel and equipment to other areas of the Eglin Reservation or other installations. This project is due north of Duke Field, one of the major outlying fields of Eglin and a designated training area for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft (specifically the F-35B STOVL version). Projected noise resulting from that training will go beyond the Eglin range border north near the City of Crestview. Maintaining unencumbered airspace to serve as flight paths and training areas is critical to Duke Field’s missions. Encroachment within the flight path will result in land use conflicts between the installation and adjacent/surrounding property owners. This project will help ensure that land use activities in this critical area remain consistent with the current and foreseeable missions of Eglin/Duke Field, thus providing both long-term mission viability as well as enhancing the health, safety, and welfare of the public. This land acquisition is in support of Okaloosa County’s Joint Land Use Study encompassing the three county area of Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton. Of the numerous recommendations contained in the report, two are particularly important here, namely “Develop a Land Acquisition Program” and “Support and Promote State and Federal Land Acquisition in Yellow River and Shoal River Floodplains and Tributaries.” The land acquisition program is designed to purchase either fee simple title to – or restrictive easements on – those properties identified as critical to ensuring the continued viability of Eglin and its missions. Finally, in addition to protecting mission viability and enhancing public safety, the project also presents an opportunity for multiple use management, including long-term public water supply for area residents, many of which depend on Eglin for their jobs. G. Estimated Florida Defense Infrastructure project Cost: Design & Engineering: $ Right-of-Way: $ Construction: $ Other: Land Acquisition $ 200,000 TOTAL COST: $ 200,000 If the project could be phased over time, break out the phases and costs. N/A 3 Packet Pg. 251  2013-2014 Defense Infrastructure Grant Program H. Does the Project Relate to Other Local/State/Federal Budgets: Circle one: Yes / No If “Yes”, explain how: We anticipate that USAF Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) funding will be available to leverage this project . I. Amounts of Other Leveraged Funding/Contributions: 1. (Federal) $200,000_ (State) _______ (Local) _______ 2. (Private) _______ (Revenue Bonds) _______ (Other) _______ J. Impact of the Project on the Installation’s Future Base Efficiencies In terms of the buffer initiative, it will conserve land to prevent incompatible development north of Duke Field, which is a critical military installation for Eglin AFB with the new Joint Strike Fighter Initial Training Center and the 7th Special Forces Group. This buffer is a solution to the noise and safety issues associated with low level aircraft operations. From a future base efficiency standpoint, it ensures long-term mission viability and supports the Northwest Florida Greenway Initiative. In terms of long-term water supply, it can drought- proof the installations and provide for growth opportunities of the installation itself and the infrastructure that supports the families. K. Estimated Project Start Date and Estimated Time for Design and Construction This grant application is for land acquisition of a buffer project. There is no design and construction associated with this land acquisition request. Our intent is to purchase the land as soon as possible, but with land negotiations, a realistic estimate would be 12-16 months from the grant award. L. Eligibility: 1. Is this an on-base project? Circle one: Yes/No 2. Within the past 12 months, was your infrastructure project denied funding by the Florida Legislature? Circle one: Yes / No 3. Within the past 12 months, did the Florida Legislature fund this project? Circle One: Yes / No 4 Packet Pg. 252  2013-2014 Defense Infrastructure Grant Program 4. Within the past 12 months, has the Governor vetoed an appropriation for this project? If so, the project cannot compete for funding until 12 months have passed since the veto date. Circle One: Yes / No 5. Can this project be completed within 36 months or less? Circle One: Yes/No M. Gift Letter: Indicate if the grant requires federal contracting support to include the Service’s approval of a gift. Circle one: Yes / No 5 Packet Pg. 253  2013-2014 Defense Infrastructure Grant Program N: Plan of Action Outcome/ Performance Planned Activity Objective Milestone Measures Category A State the date in which the State intended outcome of each What does this activity plan to activity is projected to be activity. Quantify a measurable accomplish? completed ROI. Research and analysis of property in the buffer region to find the most appropriate available parcels with the highest benefit to Eglin AFB’s mission and OCWS’ initiatives. To be completed ASAP – A tentative selection has been Selection of an appropriate Activity 1: Due Diligence within 3 to 6 months of identified, and Eglin AFB and property for optimum buffering executed agreement OCWS have agreed upon a phasing strategy should it be necessary. Environmental analysis, appraisal and survey would be included in this activity Once the site is selected and Timeframe depends on how Negotiation of the optimum appraised, negotiations with the negotiations proceed, but purchase of land in terms of price Activity 2: Negotiations land owner(s) will occur to achieve expected to be within 9 to or acreage, or both to meet the highest amount of acreage at 12 months of executed buffering objectives the lowest possible price. agreement Purchase land for primary use as Timeframe depends on how Acquisition of maximum area of a buffer for Eglin AFB’s mission negotiations proceed but Activity 3: Land Acquisition buffering for the resources and OCWS’ objective to preserve projected within a 12 to 24 available water quality for the region. month timeframe. 6 Packet Pg. 254  2013-2014 Defense Infrastructure Grant Program O: Budget and Financial Reporting Form 2013-2014 DEFENSE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM: BUDGET AND FINANCIAL REPORT FORM GRANTEE____Okaloosa County______________________________DATE ________________QUARTER ENDING ____________ Budget Local / REPI State Total Category Program Expenditures Program Expenditures Program Expenditures Actual Actual Actual Current Program Current Program Current Program Application Application Application Quarter to Date Quarter to Date Quarter to Date Budget Budget