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County Administrator's Report 15. 8.

BCC Regular Meeting

Technical/Public Service Consent

Meeting Date:	12/14/2017
Issue: Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, for Osprey Place
From:	Chips Kirschenfeld
Department:	Natural Resources
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, Relating to Osprey Place Subdivision - J. Taylor "Chips" Kirschenfeld, Director, Department of Natural Resources Management

That the Board approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, relating to 19 acres of County-owned conservation lands adjacent to Osprey Place subdivision.

BACKGROUND:

With or without human interference, fire is a part of nature. The Florida Forest Service (FFS) has identified the southwest section of the County to be most prone to wildfires. The FFS has established a program of wildland vegetative fuel treatment to be effected in and around communities and subdivisions to mitigate the risk of homes and property being damaged or destroyed by wildfire. Per Escambia County Local Mitigation Strategy, there were 76 wildfires responded to in Escambia County between 2011 to 2014 involving over 541 acres. Based on the Southern Wildfire Risk Calculator, the FFS has determined that Osprey Place Subdivision ranks on the higher end of moderate for risk of wildfire with a ranking of 6.76 on a scale of 1-10. Wildfire mitigation lines around Osprey Place would aide in the protection of 35 homes with an estimated value of $7.8 million. The FFS is working with other adjacent wildland-urban interface landowners to expand the mowed firebreak to mitigate wildfire damage to surrounding development. Wildfire Hazard Mitigation includes mowing a 30 to 40-foot firebreak using a forestry mulching machine. There is no cost to the County for the initial installation of these lines. The County will agree to make a “good faith effort” to maintain treated area in the future. Amendment to the DEP rule (62-330) exempts the restriction of mowing in a conservation easement as part of a wildfire mitigation plan developed by the FFS.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

There is no budgetary impact associated with this recommendation.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

The Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form and legal sufficiency by Kristin Hual, Senior Assistant County Attorney.

PERSONNEL:

No impact to personnel associated with this recommendation.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

Board Policy II.B.8.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Department of Natural Resources Management staff will coordinate with the FFS and other agencies, as needed.

Attachments
WildfireHazardMitigationAgrmtPlusDocs