Okaloosa County BOCC — November 16, 2013 — reading text

and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands most impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Project and Program Phases The Council recognizes that there are numerous ecosystem projects and programs that are ready for implementation. In addition to these projects and programs, the Council will seek proposals GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL 14 Packet Pg. 561  INITIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN that advance new ideas and approaches to ecosystem restoration but may not yet be ready for implementation. Consequently, in addition to considering proposals for project and program implementation, the Council will consider proposals for project and program planning and/or project design and permitting. To accomplish this, the Council will accept proposals that address one or more of three distinct Phases – Planning, Technical Assistance, and Implementation. All three phases may include projects and programs. If a project or program is selected for either Planning or Technical Assistance funding, consideration for Implementation funding is not necessarily guaranteed. Each Project Phase definition includes some examples of the types of activities the Council might fund under that Phase. The list is meant to be descriptive rather than limiting. Planning – Proposed activities may include: Projects—The proposed activity is a development of ecosystem restoration projects discrete project or group of projects and programs; cost estimates; the scientific where the full scope of the restoration foundation for a proposal; and public or protection activity has been defined engagement. at the time the Council considers the proposal. Technical Assistance – Proposed activities Programs—The proposed activity is may include: feasibility analysis; design; the establishment of a program where environmental review and compliance; the program manager will solicit, evaluation and establishment of monitoring evaluate, select, and carry out discrete requirements and methods to report outcomes projects that best meet the program’s and impacts; and permitting. restoration Objectives and evaluation criteria. Implementation – Proposed activities may include: construction; public outreach and education; and measurement, evaluation, and reporting of outcomes and impacts of restoration activities. While focused on the long-term recovery of the Gulf Coast, this approach will allow the Council to invest in specific actions, projects and programs that can be carried out in the near-term to help ensure on-the-ground results to restore the overall health of the ecosystem. GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL 15 Packet Pg. 562  INITIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Submittal of Proposals to the Council The RESTORE Act directs the Council to fund and implement projects and programs through its Members. The Council will periodically request proposals from its eleven State and Federal Members. Individual Council Members may solicit and then choose to “sponsor” – submit to the Council for consideration -- projects and/or programs from any entity, as well as the general public. The Council will provide opportunities for the public to offer ecosystem restoration ideas through its website and public meetings, and Council Members will consider these ideas when developing their proposals. The Council will encourage coordination and collaboration with other regional efforts. Proposal Evaluation and Selection Proposals submitted to the Council from its Members will be evaluated according to a three-step process. (a) Eligibility Verification – The Council will verify the eligibility of each proposal (i.e., determine whether the proposal is complete and meets the minimum set of requirements under applicable law). (b) Coordination Review – In order to avoid duplication and maximize benefits from collaboration, the Council will review eligible proposals for potential coordination opportunities, both within other RESTORE Act components and across the other Gulf Coast restoration efforts. (c) Evaluation – The Council Members will cooperatively evaluate proposals against the Evaluation Criteria and will draw on experts as needed. Following this evaluation, recommended proposals will be forwarded to the full Council for further consideration. The Council will review the recommendations made through the evaluation process and select proposals for funding – the Funded Priorities List. As a future addendum to this Plan, the Council will publish for public review and comment the Draft Funded Priorities List, which will include projects and programs the Council intends to prioritize for funding. The Council will carefully review public comments, make any appropriate changes, and finalize the List. Once finalized, the List will serve as the basis for allocating funds under the Council-Selected Restoration Component. This List will assign primary authority and responsibility for each of the projects and programs to one of the eleven Council Members. As funds become available to execute the selected projects or programs, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, at the direction of the Council, will transfer funds to the appropriate state and federal Members through a process that complies with its regulations and all applicable laws. GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL 16 Packet Pg. 563  INITIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Council will include project- and program-specific measures and reporting requirements in its funding agreements. GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL 17 Packet Pg. 564  INITIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN V. STATE EXPENDITURE PLANS – SPILL IMPACT COMPONENT While the Council will select and fund projects and programs to restore the ecosystem with Council-Selected Restoration Component funds, the Spill Impact Component funds will be invested in projects, programs, and activities identified in an approved State Expenditure Plan. Each Gulf Coast State will develop a State Expenditure Plan describing how it will disburse the amounts allocated under the Spill Impact Component. These projects, programs, and activities will be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of the RESTORE Act as well as the Goals and Objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Eligible Activities The RESTORE Act provides the scope of activities eligible for funding under the Spill Impact Component. As described in the Act, these activities can include:  Restoration and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region.  Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, and natural resources.  Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan, including fisheries monitoring.  Workforce development and job creation.  Improvements to or on State parks located in coastal areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy or ecosystem resources, including port infrastructure.  Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure.  Planning assistance.  Administrative costs of complying with the Act.  Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast region, including recreational fishing.  Promotion of the consumption of seafood harvested from the Gulf Coast region. Once a State Expenditure Plan is approved by the Council, a grant will be awarded to the State, in accordance with a formula developed by the Council as directed by the Act, for specific projects, programs, and activities identified in the State Expenditure Plan. Because the ultimate size of the Trust Fund is unknown at this time, a State may submit periodic addenda to its State Expenditure Plan in order to request additional disbursements. GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL 18 Packet Pg. 565  INITIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Development of State Expenditure Plans The Council recognizes that each Gulf Coast State is unique and may have a distinct set of priorities. State Expenditure Plans may include the following information and must comply with the RESTORE Act and applicable regulations: 1. The amount of funding needed for each project, program, and activity selected by the State for planning and implementation; the proposed start and completion dates; and specific mechanisms that will be used to monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of each project, program, and activity. 2. A description of how the best available science, as applicable, informed the State’s project, program, and activity selection. 3. A statement that all included projects, programs, and activities are eligible activities under the RESTORE Act. 4. A statement that all included projects, programs, and activities do not exceed the 25 percent funding limit for infrastructure, unless the State Expenditure Plan documents an exception in accordance with the RESTORE Act. 5. A description of how all included projects, programs, and activities contribute to the overall economic and ecosystem recovery of the Gulf Coast. 6. A description of how all projects, programs, and activities are consistent with the Goals and Objectives of this Plan. The Council views “consistent” to mean that the Gulf Coast States will implement eligible projects, programs, and activities that will further one or more of the five Goals and will be implemented in a manner that does not have a negative impact on the Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration projects and programs selected for implementation by the Council. 7. A description of the process the State will use to ensure appropriate public and tribal participation and transparency in the project, program, and activity selection process. 8. A description of the financial controls and other financial integrity mechanisms to be used to assure the public and Congress that funds have been managed appropriately to further the purposes of the RESTORE Act. 9. A description of the methods the State will use to measure, monitor, and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of funded projects, programs, and activities. 10. To the extent known, a description of any certain or prospective collaborations or partnerships to be used or created through the selection process. 11. To the extent known, a description of any additional resources that will