Okaloosa County BOCC — April 27, 2013 — Action Item Printout — reading text

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: March 19, 2013 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: John Hofstad SUBJECT: Biomass Estimate Project Presentation DEPARTMENT: Public Works BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Biomass Estimate Project presentation will provide the Board with a clear understanding of the project goals and how it will benefit the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program (OCARP), regional reef programs, other government agencies, and the citizens of Okaloosa County. BACKGROUND: The Biomass Estimate Project is being funded through the Gulf Seafood and Tourism Promotional Fund (Fund). Okaloosa County was successful in securing the award based on a Scope of Work provided to the fund managers in October 2012. The purpose of the Fund was described as follows: A $57 million fund, the Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotional Fund (“Promotional Fund”), has been established to promote tourism and the seafood industries in Gulf Coast areas impacted by the Deepwater Horizon Incident. In particular, one of the primary purposes of this Promotional Fund is for the support of programs directed to advertising, promotion and/or marketing which supports Gulf tourism and the seafood industries. At the time the Fund was first advertised, it did not appear as though any type of marine work was applicable to the stated purpose. However, Commissioner Parisot urged OCARP to develop an application that would benefit the County and the objectives of a Biomass Estimate Project seemed to be a better fit with the stated purpose as opposed to the construction of reefs. OCARP developed and submitted the application and it was reviewed and awarded based on its merits. This presentation is intended to describe those merits and demonstrate to the Board that the results of the Biomass Estimate project will benefit the County and others. Staff prepared the attached presentation to outline the benefits of the proposed project. OPTIONS: This item is being presented to the Board for informational purposes and no action is required. RECOMMENDATIONS: At the request of the Commission, this item is being presented for informational purposes to highlight the benefits of the proposed Biomass Estimate Project being funded through the Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotional Fund. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: James D. Curry, County Administrator