Agenda Item Name:
Title
Update Existing Partner Letter for Alachua Conservation Trust's Regional Conservation Partnership Program Grant
End
Presenter:
Charlie Houder / (352) 264-6804
Description:
Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) has received preliminary approval of the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) that will provide funding for the acquisition of conservation easements to protect farm land and natural areas within Alachua County with an emphasis on protecting and enhancing water quality and water quantity. Staff requests the Board authorize the County Manager to update and sign the attached Partner Contribution Letter to ACT to meet NRCS requirements under their partnership agreement. The updated letter shows a reduction in the County's match by 29% to reflect the award amount difference from the original ACT proposal.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Authorize the County Manager or designee to sign the updated partner contribution letters for Alachua Conservation Trust's federal grant program agreement for RCPP.
End
Prior Board Motions:
May 26, 2020: The BoCC authorized the County Manager to sign the partner letter for Alachua Conservation Trust's RCPP proposal.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The attached updated partner commitment letter submittal under RCPP would state that over a period of four years (2021 - 2024), the County will spend at least $2M each year for fee-simple and less-than-fee conservation acquisitions in Alachua County. (Exhibit 1 & 2)
In this partnership with Alachua County, this RCPP grant has awarded $7 M over four years. (5th yr. contribution of $2M, dependent on Wild Spaces Public Places renewal)
The grant could be used to leverage additional funding sources for the Alachua County Forever program's land conservation acquisitions and save funding resources. The partner letter does not obligate Alachua County to any specific partner or ...
Click here for full text