Okaloosa County BOCC — December 3, 2013 (meeting #1182) — reading text

depicts the current plan/strategy, after years of planning. This map shows potential locations for the following infrastructure: surface water treatment plant, off-line reservoir, river intake structure, raw water pumping station, transmission lines, roads, and the Gulf Power transmission line relocation. "2010 Implementation Plan (Updated")" - the BCC approved this plan in February 2010. At the time, it was an unfunded road map. Since then, we have entered into as many partnerships as possible - Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), Eglin Air Force Base, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - to accomplish many items on this Implementation Plan. Items highlighted in green are completed, and items highlighted in yellow are underway. "REPI Map" - this is Exhibit B of the REPI agreements (Readiness & Environmental Protection Initiative) and functions as a road map for the Shoal River Buffer Land Acquisition. The following is the recommended steps to move forward with the Shoal River Buffer Land Acquisition: - Retain real estate attorney to manage closing and ensure all local, state, and federal requirements are met. - Obtain asking price and questionnaire form from property owner. - Conduct 2 land appraisals in conformance with State Statutes & Air Force standards. - Negotiate with property owner and sign contract (will bring back to BCC for approval & execution). - During contract period (6-12 months): - Survey - Environmental Baseline Survey - Title work & insurance - Restrictive Use Easement reviewed & signed by Air Force - Obtain money from Eglin AFB for the land purchase and allowable transaction costs. Packet Pg. 166 - Closing - Okaloosa County would now own the property. - Restrictive Use Easement to the Air Force would be executed by Okaloosa County. All land acquisition costs and closing costs are reimbursable through the REPI and DIG grants. However, in moving forward with this process, OCWS assumes the financial risk of any expenses, should we not close on the property. These expenses are minimal compared to the benefit and value of the land to be purchased. Please note that, because we may be beginning the early stages of negotiating a land purchase, the dollars and acreage are not being publicly disclosed at this time. This process is very similar to the same process the State goes through when purchasing land. In putting together the above- mentioned steps, staff consulted with the state, Purchasing, Eglin, and the Clerk of Court. OPTIONS: Approve or deny. RECOMMENDATIONS: OCWS staff recommends BCC approval for OCWS staff to move forward with the Shoal River Buffer Land Acquisition with grant funding that has been obtained. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: Ernie Padgett, County Administrator Packet Pg. 167  Okaloosa County Future Water Supply Planning Update Water The Need Background and History Next Steps Subtitle placed here November 2013 Packet Pg. 168 The Need  Water customers in Okaloosa County are served by OCWS and several other utilities  Drinking water supply relies on wells in the Floridan Aquifer  Water levels in the Floridan Aquifer have been declining since the 1950’s and further declines are not sustainable Packet Pg. 169 The Need  Okaloosa County will need additional water sources to: – Sustain County’s economic and population growth – Protect Floridan Aquifer and prevent saltwater intrusion – Provide for conjunctive use Packet Pg. 170 Planning Background and History  Early 1990’s – Northwest Florida Water Management District and OCWS began to foresee the need for future water supply planning  Mid 1990’s thru Mid 2000’s – Initial studies were performed by various groups (USACE and NWFWMD primarily) on potential sources throughout Okaloosa County.  1999 – Creation of the Regional Utility Authority (RUA) Packet Pg. 171 Planning Background and History  2004 – Construction of a 21-mile 30-inch pipeline with two 1-MG tanks thru Eglin AFB.  2006 – Northwest Florida Water Management District contracted with PBS&J to study potential water supply alternatives.  2006 – Purchased 353 acres along the Shoal River for future utilization.  2008 – OCWS formed a Future Water Supply Committee consisting of local concerned citizens. Packet Pg. 172 Planning Background and History  2008 – OCWS contracted CH2M HILL to assist OCWS and the Future Water Supply Committee with studying future water supply.  2009-10 - Two Riverbank Filtration Studies Performed to Evaluate Suitability of Shoal River.  2010 – In February, Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners Approved a 4-Year Implementation Plan.  2010-13 – In partnership with the USACE and OCWS, CH2M HILL has performed three tasks under the USACE’s Planning Assistance to States Program which provides for a 50/50 cost-share for work performed. In total, the partnership has performed almost $700,000 in studies with OCWS contribution $350,000. Packet Pg. 173 Planning Background and History  2013 – OCWS met with NWFWMD to discuss status of land acquisition. NWFWMD has not budgeted for land acquisition in their FY14 budget and has no firm timeline when or if land acquisition will be funded. NWFWMD preference is for OCWS to lead this effort. Packet Pg. 174 Planning Background and History  2013 - Shoal River Land Acquisition was submitted to the FDEP for consideration for Pot #2 of the RESTORE Act and NFWF funding. Packet Pg. 175 Next Steps  Safe Yield Analysis on Shoal River (aka Water Use Permit) - Perform preliminary analysis to determine the feasibility of withdrawing up to 10-million gallons per day from the Shoal River.  Utilize existing REPI and DIG Grants obtained in partnership with Eglin AFB to purchase land parcels north of Eglin AFB, south of I-10 and near the Shoal River for both source water protection, military buffer, and potential water treatment plant site. Packet Pg. 176  Next Steps  All three REPI Grants require a match – The match for REPI 1 is the OCWS’s existing 353 acres along the Shoal River. – The match for REPI 2 and 3 is the DIG Grant 2 and 3.  DIG 1 is also available and is intended to partner with NWFWMD to purchase the reservoir property.  Grant Utilization Plan – Utilize REPI 2 and 3 matched with DIG 2 and 3, respectively, to purchase land in the targeted area and place all land within a restrictive use easement with Eglin AFB. The land acquisition may also include additional phases of REPI & DIG. – Seek an extension for DIG 1 from current expiration date of 12/23/13 to allow for more time to coordinate with the NWFWMD and determine whether they are going to assist with the land acquisition. Land purchased with DIG 1 will not be required to be placed within a restrictive use easement, thus it has more flexibility. Packet Pg. 177 Next Steps Packet Pg. 178 Shoal River Buffer Land Acquisition – Moving Forward with REPI & DIG - Retain real estate attorney to manage closing and ensure all local, state, and federal requirements are met. – Obtain asking price and questionnaire from property owner. – Conduct 2 land appraisals in conformance with State Statutes & Air Force standards. – Negotiate with property owner and sign contract (will bring back to BCC for approval and execution). Packet Pg. 179 (continued) – During contract period (6-12 months): • Survey • Environmental Baseline Survey • Title work & insurance • Restrictive Use Easement reviewed & signed by Air Force – Obtain money from Eglin AFB for the land purchase and allowable transaction costs. – Closing • Okaloosa County would now own the property • Restrictive Use Easement to the Air Force would be executed * Note: All land acquisition costs & closing costs are reimbursable through REPI & DIG grants. However, in moving forward with this process, OCWS assumes the financial risk on any expenses should we not close on the property. These expenses are minimal compared to the benefit. Packet Pg. 180  I-10 Rest Area § ¦ ¨ 10 HAISEAL TIMBER CO (119 Acres) LEXINGTON r i ve PARKE II S h oa l R (136 Acres)