Here's the memo, being presented as part of item 10B on the agenda:
MEMORANDUM
TO: John P. Regan City Manager
DATE: RE: Grants for Land Acquisition and Easements
September 10, 2018
At the July 27th City Commission meeting the City Commission asked staffto look into possible grants that the city could apply for in order to purchase property. Staff has found several funding opportunities at the state and federal levels. Most grants are directed for applicants who seek to protect or restore wetlands, agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitats, archeological sites, or protected/endangered species.
A. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) offers the following grant opportunities:
1. The Florida Forever Program: Provides the source funding for Florida Communities Trust (FCT) who offers two grant opportunities. The FCT's goal is to protect important natural resources, provide recreational opportunities and preserves Florida's traditional working waterfronts under the Parks and Open Space Grant Program or the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Grant Program.
The Parks and Open Space Grant Program is a land acquisition grant program that provides for the acquisition and development of community-based parks, open spaces, and greenways. Applicants should highlight the outdoor recreation and natural resource protection needs and ensure that need matches their Local Government's comprehensive plan.
Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront grant acknowledges the importance of the traditional seafood harvesting and aquaculture industries in Florida. Funds must be used to acquire parcels directly used for the commercial harvest of marine organisms or saltwater products by state- licensed commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, or business entities.
The Legislature has appropriated $10 million in funds for the 2018-19 submission cycle which recently closed (July 2 - September 17). The program offers a five million dollar maximum award to any single application with a 25% matching funds requirement. (Additional grant points awarded to applications with higher match rates 40-49% +10 pts, 50-59% +20 pts, 60% +25 pts). Awardees enter a purchase agreement similar to traditional real estate contracts including a preliminary survey, appraisals, negotiations with the owner and final closing sale of the property. The land acquisition by the Florida Forever program is voluntary for the property owner.
Successful applicants explain the purpose of the project, existing and future uses, any proposed physical improvement, any natural and historic resources found on site, and activities to be conducted to protect and enhance those resources.
2. Land and Water Conservation Program (LWCF): Offers a land acquisition program for the purpose of developing the property for outdoor recreation purposes. This program provides a $200,000 maximum award with a prerequisite of a 1:1 in matching funds. Next award cycle FY 2020-2021 (March 2019 application period)
Unless approved by the FDEP in advance formal acquisitions for an LWCF site/property may not begin until after grant award (Cannot contractfor purchase until awarded). An approved acquisition project must have development funding in place within one year ofthe effective date ofthe project agreement, and the property must be completed for public use within three years after acquisition.
B. The Florida Department of State offers a Special Category: Acquisition grant available through the Division of Historical Resources. Grants require 1:1 in matching funds, providing a $500,000 maximum award. Next award cycle FY 2020-2021 (April 1-June 1 2019 application period)
These project grants are geared at acquiring a single Historical Property or archaeological site, or group ofHistoric Properties or archaeological sites, in which all the resources have the same owner. For archaeological sites, an exception to the single owner provision may be made if the archaeological site extends on land that is contiguous but owned by different property owners
C. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife offers a couple of grants under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NA WCA) program. The program consists of two funding opportunities of up to $100,000 and $1 million respectively. Both the NA WCA Standard and Small grant programs have a 1: 1 matching funds requirement and have two application periods. The US. Small Grants Program application period is open until October 18, 2018.
The primary goal seeks to increase bird populations and wetland habitat while supporting local economies and American traditions such as hunting, fishing, bird watching, family farming, and cattle ranching. Wetlands protected by NAWCA provide valuable benefits such as flood control, reducing coastal erosion, improving water and air quality, and recharging groundwater. The NAWC reviews, ranks, and recommends projects to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission for final funding approval.
D. USDA and the Natural Resources Conservation Center (NRCS) Not a Land Acquisition program but a land conservation option.
1.NRCS: Offerseasementprogramstolandownerswhowanttomaintainorenhancetheirland in a way beneficial to agriculture or the environment. All easement programs are voluntary.
NRCS provides technical help and financial assistance, but local landowners and organizations are needed to make NRCS easement programs successful.
2. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): Provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, NRCS helps local governments and non- governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the property. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance emolled wetlands.
NRCS also provides technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands through the purchase of a wetland reserve easement. Through the wetland reserve emollment options, NRCS may enroll eligible land through:
1. Permanent Easements - Permanent easements are conservation easements in perpetuity. NRCS pays 100 percent ofthe easement value for the purchase ofthe easement. Additionally, NRCS pays between 75 to 100 percent ofthe restoration costs.
2. 30-year Easements - 30-year easements expire after 30 years. Under 30-year easements, NRCS pays 50 to 75 percent ofthe easement value for the purchase ofthe easement. Additionally, NRCS pays between 50 to 75 percent ofthe restoration costs.
3. Term Easements - Term easements are easements that are for the maximum duration allowed under applicable State laws. NRCS pays 50 to 75 percent ofthe easement value for the purchase ofthe term easement. Additionally, NRCS pays between 50 to 75 percent ofthe restoration costs.
I f you concur with the information provided in this memorandum, please place this item on the September 24th City Commission Agenda under staff presentations. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your assistance.
CLS
xc: Jim Piggott, Director General Services
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