Notice of Award from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gulf of Mexico Program for Bayou Chico Water Quality Improvements Project
From:
Chips Kirschenfeld, Director
Organization:
Natural Resources
CAO Approval:
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation Concerning the Notice of Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gulf of Mexico Program for Bayou Chico Water Quality Improvements Project - J. Taylor “Chips” Kirschenfeld, Director, Department of Natural Resources Management
That the Board accept and approve the Cooperative Agreement Notice of Award (Grant Number MX-00D43616) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Gulf of Mexico Program, in the amount of $295,500, for a project that will improve water quality in Bayou Chico by installing floating treatment wetlands in Jackson Lake, an upstream tributary connected to Jackson Creek, Bayou Chico, and Pensacola Bay. No County matching funds are required.
[Funding Source: Fund 110, Other Grants and Projects, Cost Center to be determined at the time of Supplemental Budget Amendment. EPA agrees to cost-share 100.00% of all approved budget period costs incurred, up to and not exceeding total federal funding of $295,500]
BACKGROUND:
Bayou Chico and its tributaries have a long history of water quality impairment issues including elevated nutrient and fecal coliform bacteria levels. This Bayou Chico Water Quality Improvements Project will improve water quality in portions of Bayou Chico by installing floating treatment wetland mats in Jackson Lake, an upstream tributary of Bayou Chico. Vegetation from the floating treatment wetlands will uptake nutrients from detained storm event flows thereby reducing the amount of excess nutrients being conveyed downstream to Bayou Chico. Vegetation will be routinely harvested from the floating wetland mats to install at existing and under construction living shoreline restoration projects in the Pensacola Bay System where the vegetation will continue to improve water quality and provide new estuarine habitat.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Funding Source: Fund 110, Other Grants and Projects, Cost Center to be determined at the time of Supplemental Budget Amendment. EPA agrees to cost-share 100% of all approved budget period costs incurred, up to and not exceeding total federal funding of $295,500.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:
No legal considerations associated with this recommendation.
PERSONNEL:
No additional personnel impact associated with this recommendation.
POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:
Board Policy II.A.
IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:
Department of Natural Resources Management staff will coordinate with applicable parties to implement terms of the Cooperative Agreement Notice of Award.