Okaloosa County BOCC — January 13, 2016 — I. e. NFWF Grant $70K — reading text

TOURIST DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM DATE: January 13, 2016 TO: Tourist Development Council FROM: Ed Schroeder, Tourist Development Department Director Erika Zambello, Marine Economic &Tourist Development Resource Coordinator SUBJECT: NFWF Gulf Coast Conservation Grant STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval to submit an application for the 2016 Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program in the amount of $70,000, with $70,000 in matching contributions. BACKGROUND: At its December 15 meeting, the Board approved a conceptual design plan to reverse the erosion occurring along Choctawhatchee Bay at Veterans Park and improve the upland area to provide for easier public access. To complete upland restoration, which includes removing multiple species of invasive plants and planting native plants in their place, TDD staff requests to apply to the Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Application will be made in conjunction with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance. Grant funds in the amount of $70,000 will be requested and the grant requires a 1:1 match. In-kind services through the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance in the amount of $11,000 and future work from Taylor Engineering in the amount of $59,000 are proposed to fulfill the match requirement. Applications are due January 28. The draft application is attached for reference. The completed application will be presented to the Board on January 19. OPTIONS: Approve or Disapprove RECOMMENDATION TO BCC: Approve submission of an application for the 2016 Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program in the amount of $70,000, with $70,000 in matching contributions.  EasyGrantsID: 52209 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program 2016, Full Proposal Title: Upland Restoration within Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island, FL. Organization: Okaloosa County Grant Information NLY Title of Project Upland Restoration within Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island, FL. Total Amount Requested $ 70,000.00 O Matching Contributions Proposed Proposed Grant Period $70,000.00 06/01/ 2016 - 06/01/ 2017 N Project Description IO Okaloosa County and Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance propose a unique project that integrates natural habitat SS restoration with recreational and educational features for the benefit of residents, tourists, and the environment. Okaloosa County views Veterans Park as a potential flagship project that will showcase the benefits and value associated with habitat restoration while providing a distinctive amenity for the public to enjoy. This narrative U describes the first recommended phase of the Veterans Park restoration initiative, the upland removal of invasive species and replanting of native species, and focuses on this county-owned Okaloosa Island property. Project Abstract C IS Veterans Park, which encompasses approximately 14 acres, borders the Choctawhatchee Bay and contains rare habitat, including dunes, coastal dune forest, and wetlands. However, because of its history as a three-hole golf D course, the site needs both the removal of invasive species and the planting of native species, as well as increased levels of habitat management going into the future. The upland restoration is part of a larger conceptual plan that a living shoreline. R includes building handicap accessible boardwalks, increasing educational and recreational resources, and developing O In this phase, volunteers from the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and Okaloosa County will work together to -F remove invasive species, including alligator weed, popcorn trees, phragmites, asparagus fern, and more. Some can be pulled out by hand, while others may need to be treated with herbicide to fully remove them. When the removals are complete, volunteers will plant native species in their place, per the parks new management plan. AF The restoration will create a healthier environment for the surrounding wildlife, including over 150 bird species that reside in the park or migrate through each spring and fall. In addition, successful restoration will be used as a T teaching tool for visitors and locals like, providing an example for restoration that could be done on nearby properties. The ecological, social, and educational benefits make the Veterans Park restoration a win-win-win. R Organization and Primary Contact Information DOrganization Organization Type City, State, Country Okaloosa County State or Local Government ,, Region (if international) 1133 15th Street, NW Version 1.1 Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005 Page 1 of 15  EasyGrantsID: 52209 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program 2016, Full Proposal Title: Upland Restoration within Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island, FL. Organization: Okaloosa County Primary Contact Erika Zambello NLY Position/Title Phone and E-mail x ; ezambello@co.okaloosa.fl.us Additional Contacts O Role Name N IO SS U C IS D R O -F AF T R D 1133 15th Street, NW Version 1.1 Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005 Page 2 of 15  EasyGrantsID: 52209 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program 2016, Full Proposal Title: Upland Restoration within Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island, FL. Organization: Okaloosa County NLY Project Location Information O Project Location Description N Veterans Park is located on Okaloosa Island, a barrier island within the Florida Panhandle, in Okaloosa County. The park borders the Choctawhatchee Bay, and Project Country(ies) IO visitors access the park via Miracle Strip Parkway. North America - United States Project State(s) Project Congressional District(s) Florida District 1 (FL) SS Permits and Approvals U Permits/Approvals Description: C Permits/Approvals Status: IS D Permits/Approvals Agency-Contact Person: R Permits/Approvals Submittal-Approval Date: O -F AF T R D 1133 15th Street, NW Version 1.1 Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005 Page 3 of 15  EasyGrantsID: 52209 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program 2016, Full Proposal Title: Upland Restoration within Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island, FL. Organization: Okaloosa County Reviewer Type: Conservation NGO Reviewer Name: Darryl Organization Position/Title: Boudreau The Nature Conservancy Director Florida Local Government Relations LY Street Line 1: 4255 Sassafras Av N City, State, Country, Postal Code: Region (if international): Milton, Florida, North America - United States, 32583 O Phone and E-mail: 850-207-4477 dboudreau@tnc.org N Reviewer Type: Federal IO Reviewer Name: Organization Melody Ray-Culp US Fish & Wildlife Service SS Position/Title: Street Line 1: U Panhandle Program Coordinator 1601 Balboa Avenue City, State, Country, Postal Code: C Panama City, Florida, North America - United States, 32405 Region (if international): Phone and E-mail: IS 850-769-0552 D Melody_Ray-Culp@fws.gov OR -F T AF DR 1133 15th Street, NW