Agenda Item Name:
Title
Update Existing Partner Letter for Alachua Conservation Trust’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program Grant
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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.
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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 project but rather supports the continuation of ACF type programs.
Fund 021.41.4160 Wild Spaces Public Places is used for the match; no General Fund expenditures are needed.
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Background:
Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) has recently received preliminary approval of the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant that will provide funding for the acquisition of conservation easements to protect non-industrial farm land and wetlands within Alachua County. Funding is also eligible for land management practices that improve wildlife habitat and protect and enhance water quality and water quantity yields.
ACT’s RCPP entitled Surface to Springs, identifies a proposed region that includes most of Alachua County, the Santa Fe River Basin, and portions of the Suwannee River Watershed. (Exhibit 3)
RCPP partner letters demonstrate that ACT and the focal region is supported by entities already committed to conservation of land and water resources within the proposed regions and that the grant awards will complement those existing conservation efforts in the same regions. All of the Alachua County Forever Program’s (ACF) current and potential future acquisition projects in this region would satisfy this requirement.
ACT’s RCPP proposal recognized its ongoing partnership with Alachua County and specifically identified Alachua County through the ACF program as a partner entity in its RCPP applications. ACT’s RCPP grant, can be used in partnership with the County’s land conservation acquisition projects and therefore amplify ACF resources. Five County land acquisition projects are now preapproved through the RCPP award process, to receive federal funding without competing in an open enrollment process.
The County partnership commitment 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.
Request the Board of County Commissioners allow the County Manager (or Director of Office of Land Conservation & Management) to submit the attached Partner Contribution Forms Update to ACT for use completing the NRCS program agreement.
Comp Plan Reference:
Alachua County Comprehensive Plan (2019-2040):
• Future Land Use Element: 6.0 rural and agricultural policies; Objective 6, Policy 6.1.1, states:
“The County shall encourage the continuation of productive agricultural uses through an integrated program of strategies, including innovative land use regulations in conjunction with transfer of development rights and support for use of local, State, and Federal incentives including pursuit of funds from state and federal programs for purchase of agricultural conservation easements and purchase of development rights. The County shall initiate a stewardship program utilizing strategies from but not limited to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, Section 163.3177 (11) (d) F.S. and Section 570.70, F.S., as appropriate to Alachua County.”
• 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.”