Okaloosa County BOCC — March 18, 2014 — _Application_2014-15

CALL FOR ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION & MONITORING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Marine Fisheries, Artificial Reef Program 620 South Meridian Street, Box 4B2 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 487-0554 http://myfwc.com  CALL FOR ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION AND MONITORING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (FWC) DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT The Florida Artificial Reef Program within the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management anticipates the availability of up to $500,000 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program funds, and an estimated $300,000 in state saltwater fishing license revenues for artificial reef related activities. These funds will be made available through a grants-in-aid program for artificial reef construction on a cost reimbursement basis and for science-based biological or socio-economic artificial reef monitoring projects on either a cost reimbursement or fee schedule basis. This year's application form is the same as last year's form, consistent with “The Florida Artificial Reef Program” rule, Chapter 68E-9 FAC. As in last year, a cap of $60,000 is set for an artificial reef project per fiscal year, and any project request greater than $60,000 will require additional information pursuant to Chapter 68E-9.006. Two applications are enclosed with this announcement, one for general artificial reef construction and one for general artificial reef monitoring. Applications for other complex planning, research and evaluation projects must be submitted in a formal proposal describing all details of the proposed project. Only one application for each type of project will be accepted from a given applicant. Eligible applicants include local coastal governments, State of Florida public universities and certain nonprofit organizations (one of whose principle charges as stated in By-laws or Articles of Incorporation is the construction and/or monitoring of artificial reefs), pursuant to Chapter 379.249, F.S. and according to the provisions of Chapter 68E-9 FAC. Other interested entities would need to work in partnership or be subcontracted by an eligible applicant entity. If multiple entities are submitting the same category of application from within the same county geographic boundaries, the highest ranked single project from within the county will be selected for that category. Applications must be received no later than Friday March 21, 2014, by 5 p.m. Artificial reef construction applications will not be considered unless accompanied by documentation of a permitted site valid through August 31, 2015. Any previously unsubmitted Materials Placement Reports (i.e. both grant and non-grant funded) must accompany all applications for all reef construction projects completed by the applicant during the previous fiscal year (as required by Federal artificial reef permit conditions). Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Competition for grant funding is expected to be high this year for the anticipated $800,000 funding. Last year $1,840,815 was requested and a total of $1,248,894 was funded with support from a supplemental legislative appropriation. The evaluation and ranking of applications is accomplished through a numerical rating process involving multiple independent reviewers and based directly on the provisions of Chapter 68E-9.005 FAC. Applicants should be aware that the FWC requires grant recipients to provide a substantial amount of contract management and project oversight, including direct supervision of all subcontractors. All applicants are strongly encouraged to develop and formulate a long-term plan for the development of artificial reefs in their geographical area and monitoring of their effectiveness. For any additional information regarding the artificial reef grants program, please contact Jon Dodrill, Bill Horn, or Keith Mille at the letterhead address listed below or by telephone at (850) 487-0554. Applicants are encouraged to contact staff for pre-application consultation prior to submittal. Notification of conceptual grant awards will take place by June 15, 2014. Confirmation of state project funding levels will be known by July 2, 2014. Federal project funding levels will be known by August 31, 2014. Applications should be sent to the Artificial Reef Program at one of the following addresses: 620 South Meridian Street, Box # 4B2, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 (mail) 2590 Executive Center Circle East, Berkeley Building, Suite 203, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (courier)  FWC DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION GRANT APPLICATION Applicant Project Manager Name of local coastal government, university, or eligible not-for-profit corporation Printed Name, Title Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Scott Henson - Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program Manager Mailing Address Mailing Address 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd - Suite 100 84 Ready Avenue Physical Address, for courier service, with zip code (if different than mailing address) Physical Address, for courier service, with zip code (if different than mailing address) City State Zip Code City State Zip Code Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 Telephone Fax Telephone Fax (850 ) 651-7105 ( 850 ) 651-7142 ( 850 ) 609-6165 (850 ) 654-7397 FEID Number Email address 59-6000765 shenson@co.okaloosa.fl.us I hereby certify that all information submitted with this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. Signature of Applicant Date Printed Name and Title Project Description Name of Proposed Reef Project: Eglin Target Material Deployment Phase 1 Types of Material Proposed for Deployment: Reinforced Concrete w/High Limestone Content Amount of Material (tons), and/or Number of Module Units 2900 tons (See Grant Application Supplemental Information (GASI)) Proposed for Deployment: Proposed Coordinates See GASI Depth (ft.): See GASI LAT/LON decimal minutes: Grant Funds Requested: Matching Funds (Cash Only): Total Project Cost: $ 60,000 $ 20,000 $ 240,000 (attach letter stating cash match amount) Artificial Reef Site Permit Information (to be provided for each permitted site to be used, permits must be valid through August 31, 2013) Name of Permit Holder: Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (if different than applicant, attach a letter of authorization from the permit holder to use the site) Name of Permitted Site: Fish Haven 13,14,15 and 16, LAARS A (See GASI) ✔ Check here if the permitted site is located in State waters Issued: 04 / 12 / 2001 USACOE Permit Number: SAJ-1996-03565 (IP-SWA) (See GASI) Expires: 03 / 31 / 2014 FDEP Permit Number: Issued: / / (for sites located State waters) Multiple (See GASI) Expires: / / ✔ Check here if information for additional permitted sites is attached. FWC Form AR01 (rev01/06) Page 1 of 4 Construction Grant Application ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT RESPONSES TO THE FOLLOWING AS ATTACHMENTS CORRESPONDING TO THE INDICATED NUMBERS: FWC use only Attached Project Site Selection and Environmental Assessment 1. A general location map using the most recent NOAA nautical chart showing: a. The chart name, chart number, and date of chart; b. The coastline adjacent to the proposed deployment location; c. The bearing and distance (in nautical miles) from a described navigational marker or distinctive topographical feature (e.g. mouth of inlet) to the proposed deployment location………………………..……………………………..……(a-c,required documentation) ✔ 2. An accurate and legible site-specific map (recommended on 8 1/2 x 11 paper) of the proposed deployment area showing: a. Compass rose with a north arrow, scale, and legend; b. Name of permitted site; c. Dimensions (in feet) of the permitted site (length/width for polygons, radius for circular sites); d. Area of the permitted site in acres and/or square nautical miles; e. Center and corner coordinates in latitude/longitude format as described in the Army Corps of Engineers permit; f. Directional orientation of permitted site in relation to the compass rose; g. Overlay of the permit corner coordinates with the most recent NOAA nautical chart and compare the permit corner coordinates with the charted permit area. Discuss any discrepancies between the NOAA charted site and the permit; h. Minimum and maximum water depths (feet, MLW) for the permitted site; i. All previous public reef deployments in the permitted site and the proposed deployment with a reference number for each; j. A table (on a separate page) which lists by reference number the deployment date, type, amount of materials, and coordinates in latitude/longitude for each prior deployment and the proposed deployment in the permitted site. k. The location of the closest natural habitats (e.g., hardbottom) to the deployment site………………………………………………..………….……(a-k, required documentation) ✔ 3. The results and a discussion of a bottom survey for the proposed deployment site which includes the date the survey was accomplished, the type of survey used (visual or fathometer), an estimate of the total area surveyed (in square feet) and a description of the sediments or occurrence of natural hardbottom and/or existing artificial reefs observed. Provide confirmation that there is no natural hardbottom or seagrass habitat within 150 ft. of the deployment site. Note: visual surveys by SCUBA are required at depths of 100 fsw or less………………………………………………………………………………...(up to four points) ✔ 4. An environmental assessment that justifies the project site based upon minimum environmental impact. The environmental assessment should include a description of potential onsite, offsite, and cumulative impacts of the proposed artificial reef construction project on vegetation, threatened or endangered species, fisheries, wildlife, water quality, and cultural resources………………………………………..…………………..…(up to five points) ✔ 5. A discussion of the availability of other relevant prior biological, or environmental data associated with the proposed reef site or general reef vicinity…………….…...(up to four points) ✔ 6. A discussion of the range of wave height, current velocity, temperature, salinity, visibility, tidal range, and other physical oceanography conditions and how those factors may affect the project……………………………………………………………………….……(up to five points) ✔ 7. Material Placement Report Forms for any previously unsubmitted non-FWCC funded public reef projects completed during the last calendar year (as required by Federal Permit conditions), listed by material type and deployment date………………..….(Statute requirement) ✔ 8. The number of existing artificial reef deployments (materials) within a 0.25 nm radius of the proposed project. Depict each deployment on the site-specific drawing required in number 2(i) above (more points awarded for fewer deployments).............................…(up to four points) ✔ FWC Form AR01 (1/14) Page 2 of 4 Construction Grant Application  Attached FWC use only Project Objectives 9. Specific, well defined and measurable objectives to gauge the success of the project……………………………………………………………………..……….…(up to four points) ✔ 10. A plan to measure the success of project objective achievement …………….(up to five points) ✔ Project Design 11. A detailed description and discussion of the reef design and configuration, habitat complexity, interstitial spaces, surface area, material placement and positioning……………………………………………………………………….…....(up to ten points) ✔ 12. A demonstration of the durability and stability of the reef material at the depth proposed for placement based on prior field evaluations or stability analyses……..……….....…(four points) ✔ Project Planning and Management 13. A project timeline and construction schedule……………………………..(required documentation) ✔ 14. Number of staff and percentage of time available to undertake administrative and field aspects of project, including subsequent monitoring and assessment….…….(up to five points) ✔ 15. A written artificial reef monitoring and assessment plan, if available……..……(up to five points) ✔ 16. A five year local artificial reef management plan which shows linkage with the proposed project, if available……...…………………………………….………………..……(up to five points) ✔ 17. A demonstration of involvement with a marine advisory board with input on artificial reef issues, if available. Include a listing of marine advisory board members, and a copy of the most recent meeting minutes regarding the proposed project……………………....(two points) ✔ 18. One complete copy of each active ACOE and DEP permit with accompanying permit conditions applicable to the project….………………………………………….(permit requirement) ✔ Local Demand and Public Access 19. A demonstration of public support for the proposed artificial reef project, based upon written letters or resolutions of support less than six months old………………(up to five points) ✔ 20. The presence of at least one navigable inlet access point within 20 nautical miles of the project site (list the number of)………………………………………………...….…..(three points) ✔ Material Transport and Ownership 21. A plan to address logistics, coordination, staging area availability, material location, and material transport and handling…….………………………………………………(up to five points) ✔ 22. Assurance of the availability of reef material for the proposed project, with an itemized list describing the materials proposed to be deployed........................................……..(three points) ✔ 23. Proof of ownership. For all proposed reef materials, indicate whether the reef material has already been purchased or donated (including letter(s) of verification)…....(permit requirement) ✔ Project Practicality 24. An approximate estimate of handling and transportation cost per ton for secondary use materials, and/or purchase, handling, and transportation cost per unit for pre-fabricated materials. Discuss the extent to which the project is physically and economically feasible based upon the project description and the requested project funding….…….(up to five points) ✔ 25. The percentage financial match of the project. Although providing cash match funds is not required, the commitment to provide funds to help construct the proposed artificial reef will be ranked in proportion to the percentage match of the project………….……(up to four points) ✔ FWC Form AR01 (1/14) Page 3 of 4 Construction Grant Application  FWC use only Attached 26. The applicant’s total artificial reef construction/monitoring budget (excluding funds requested from this grant) for the current calendar year including a description and amounts of additional funding by funding source………………………(information only, no points) ✔ Non-profit Eligibility Verification 27. Documentation of 501(c)(3) tax status from the Internal Revenue Service.(Statute requirement) ✔ 28. Documentation of the corporation's By-laws and/or Articles of Incorporation which include artificial reef monitoring and/or development as an objective……………….(Statute requirement) ✔ Procurement of Commodities or Contractual Services Verification 29. Documentation of the intended means which commodities or contractual services will be procured, pursuant to the requirements of Section 287.057, Florida Statutes. For Agreements in the amount of $35,000 or less, grantees will be required to obtain a minimum of two written quotes for any subcontracts. For Agreements in excess of $35,000, grantees will be required to publicly advertise and send bid specifications to a minimum of five potential subcontractors. For any Agreement requesting the use a sole source vendor, provide clear justification (in the response to this item) for Commission review and approval …………………………………………………………….(Statute requirement) ✔ Project Funding Limits 30. For projects requesting more than the $60,000 funding limit, provide written justification in compliance with Chapter 68E-9.006, Florida Administrative Code, for Commission review and approval…………..………………………………………………………….(Statute requirement) ✔ THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ITEMS WILL BE DETERMINED BY FWCC: Overall quality of application preparation and accuracy………………………………........(up to four points) 31. The project is an innovative project or designed to provide future monitoring potential…………………………………………………………………………………… (up to five points) 32. Estimated percent coverage of natural hardbottom in the multi-county area. More points allotted to lesser coverage…………………………………………………………………………(up to eight points) 33. Number of recreational boats 16 feet long or longer registered in the affected County………………………………………………………………………………………..(up to five points) 34. Number of one-year resident and nonresident recreational fishing license holders in the affected county……………………………………………………………………………………….. (up to five points) 35. Number of charter/head boats in the affected county…………………………………..(up to five points) 36. The applicant is located in an economically depressed rural coastal county………….…..(five points) 37. First time participation in the program by the applicant………………………………………(five points) 38. The applicant’s historic ability to ensure timely project completion, and compliance with grant agreement terms and conditions based upon the most recent grant agreement performance………………………………………………………………………………....(up to five points) FWC Form AR01 (1/14) Page 4 of 4 Construction Grant Application