Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO APPROVE Broward County’s participation in the State of Florida, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (“FWC”) Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Program (“Program”) for State Fiscal Years 2018/2019 to 2023/2024, by annually accepting specific FWC-recommended projects at project sites within Broward County to be included in the Program for such Fiscal Year; authorizing the County Administrator to execute Site Access Agreements and amendments to such agreements with contractor(s) selected by FWC to perform any FWC-approved projects on Broward County property, in a form prepared by and approved by the Office of the County Attorney; and authorizing the County Administrator to take any and all necessary administrative actions.

ACTION:  (T-11:20 AM)  Approved. 

VOTE:  9-0.

Action by the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) is required to authorize participation in the FWC Program and to authorize the County Administrator to execute Site Access Agreements and amendments to such agreements.

Authorizes the Parks and Recreation Division to review and accept the recommendations of FWC for specific projects and project sites being considered for inclusion in the Program, and authorizes the County Administrator to execute Site Access Agreements and amendments.

None.

PARKS AND RECREATION DIVISION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.

This item supports the Board’s Value of encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices, and environmental protection; specifically, the Goal to seek funding for, implement policies and pursue projects promoting, the use of alternative energies and sustainable practices. The FWC’s Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Program makes funding available for aquatic plant management, which in turn supports sustainable practices and protection of the environment. The anticipated work, which will include herbicide treatments and plantings, will result in the restoration and enhancement of aquatic habitats within County parks, augmenting the ability to conserve and protect natural resources through the removal of invasive plant species and planting of native plant species.

Invasive plants are one of the costliest and time-consuming threats to County-managed lands. The County would benefit financially and otherwise from participation in the Program. Approval of this agenda item will authorize the Division to participate in the Program for five years, and if successful, the Division will seek Board approval for additional five-year periods. FWC’s criteria for participation in the Program may vary from fiscal year to Fiscal Year. The current criteria for participating in the Program is included in Exhibit 1.

The State-funded Program was established to assist land management agencies (including, but not limited to, state, county, and city agencies) with managing, enhancing, and preserving aquatic habitats. This Program is not a grant and no monies are provided; participating agencies review and accept recommendations of FWC. The projects are limited by the amount of money FWC receives from the State for the applicable fiscal year. FWC selects and pays contractors through the state procurement process. FWC monitors the work and acts as the contract administrator.

Site Access Agreements will be prepared by and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney for execution by the County Administrator and the respective FWC-selected contractor(s) performing FWC approved project(s) on County property, prior to any such FWC-selected contractor(s) commencing any project activities on County property.

Dan West, Director, Parks and Recreation Division, (954) 357-8106