Agenda Item Name:
Title
Support for Alachua Conservation Trust’s North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant Application to obtain Funds for Land Conservation in eastern Alachua County.
End
Presenter:
Charlie Houder / (352) 264-6804
Description:
Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is applying for North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) that, if awarded, will provide funding for the acquisition of conservation land to protect wetlands within eastern Alachua County. Staff requests the Board to authorize the County Manager to submit the attached Partner Contribution Statement to ACT for use in ACT’s NAWCA grant application.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Authorize the County Manager or her designee to submit the attached Partner Contribution Statement for Alachua Conservation Trust’s NAWCA grant application.
End
Prior Board Motions:
5/26/2020: BoCC authorized the County Manager to sign Partner Contribution Statement for Alachua Conservation Trust’s July 2020 application. ACT submitted a NAWCA grant application in July 2020, but unfortunately the proposal was not funded, so ACT is reapplying with updated information.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The attached partner commitment submittal under NAWCA states that on December 12, 2019, Alachua County purchased Lochloosa Slough for $4,821,886.03 and this parcel will be used as match for the NAWCA grant, which will fund acquisitions by ACT of wetlands for conservation in 2021/2022. Acquired properties used as match must have been purchased within two years of the application.
In this partnership with Alachua County, the NAWCA grant could award, $1 million per phase each year.
The grants could be used to leverage additional funding sources for the Alachua County Forever program’s land conservation acquisitions and save funding resources.
End
Background:
Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) is applying for a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant which awards funds through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect wetland habitat. ACT’s NAWCA application includes identified wetland areas in eastern Alachua County. Specifically, the 1,861 acre Lochloosa Slough project, to be used as match, and ACT’s acquisition projects surrounding Orange Lake. Future grant application Phases could provide funding or reimburse the County for acquisitions such as the Fox Pen Connector and/or other wetland dominated tracts in the area on the County's Active Acquisition List.
This application requires evidence that ACT is supported by a partner entity that is already committed to conservation of land and water resources within the NAWCA grant region and that the grant awards will complement those existing conservation efforts in the same region. The Alachua County Forever Program’s (ACF) Lochloosa Slough acquisition project would satisfy this requirement.
Therefore, ACT would like to recognize its ongoing partnership with Alachua County and specifically identify Alachua County through the ACF program as a partner entity in its NAWCA grant application. If ACT is awarded the grant, the funds will be able to be used in partnership with the County’s land conservation acquisition projects and therefore amplify ACF resources.
In requesting County support of this grant application, ACT is requesting formal acknowledgement from Alachua County of its own existing commitments to land and water protection through the ACF program by signing the attached “Partner Contribution Form.”
This acknowledgement by the County is not an obligation for any specific purchase or partnership on any parcel of land, rather, it is merely providing evidence in ACT’s application that ACT is working with a partner entity that already has a proven commitment and ability to carry out conservation projects within the proposed region for a 5-year grant award period. No County ACF funds are permitted to be used for conservation projects outside of Alachua County.
Staff requests the Board of County Commissioners authorize the County Manager or her designee to submit the attached Partner Contribution Form to ACT for use in ACT’s NAWCA grant application.
In order to observe to the grant deadlines, ACT would like to request to receive the signed Partner Contribution Form by Wednesday February 24th.
Comp Plan Reference:
Alachua County Comprehensive Plan (2019-2040):
• Conservation and Open Space Element: 6.0 LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM; Objective 6.4 “Other Acquisition Programs,” states:
“Coordinate with other programs for the acquisition and management of natural areas and open space for recreational, open space and conservation purposes.”
Policy 6.4.1 states:
“The County shall seek to maximize the effectiveness of local revenue sources by using them to leverage funds available from federal, state, municipal, private non-profit, and Water Management District programs, such as Florida Forever, Florida Communities Trust (FCT), Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL), and Save-Our-Rivers (SOR).”
Policy 6.4.2 states:
“The County shall provide support, in the form of information, coordination, assistance in obtaining grants, and other support activities to organizations and agencies that acquire and protect natural areas and open space for conservation, open space, and recreational purposes.”