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Resolution Authorizing Submittal of Application to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for Boating Improvement Program Grant Funding for Hunters Lake Channel Restoration Project Phase 1
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) opened the Florida Boating Improvement Program (FBIP) on February 9, 2026. The program provides funding through competitive grants for boating access projects and other boating-related activities benefiting motorized vessels in Florida. The funding categories under FBIP are Design, Engineering and Permitting Projects or Construction Projects.
The Natural Resources Department requests to submit the attached Hunters Lake Channel Restoration Project Phase 1 project under the Design, Engineering and Permitting Projects funding category. This phase will include engineering, design, environmental evaluation, bathymetric verification, and regulatory permitting required for dredging activities on the access channel from the Hunters Lake Boat Ramp to Hunters Lake. A key component of this phase will be sediment characterization through targeted core sampling and laboratory analysis to identify the physical composition of accumulated sediments. This design, evaluation and analysis is necessary to establish appropriate dredged material handling, management, and disposal methods consistent with state and federal regulatory requirements. The Hunters Lake Channel Restoration Project Phase 1 FBIP application requesting funding in the amount of $209,252 is attached for the Board’s consideration.
The information gathered from Phase 1 will allow the County to pursue a Phase 2 funding application through the FBIP in a future funding cycle. Hunters Lake Channel Restoration Project Phase 2 will consist of mechanical dredging to remove accumulated sediments along approximately 1,632 linear feet of the existing access channel to restore safe navigation between the boat ramp and the main body of Hunters Lake.
Attached for the Chairman’s signature are FWC’s required cover letter and a letter of support from the Board, along with an authorizing resolution for the Director of Procurement & Strategic Initiatives, Carla Rossiter-Smith, to be the Authorized Representative on behalf of the County for the submission of the application and to sign grant application documents as needed. The resolution also designates Carla Burrmann, the Natural Resources Department Manager, as project manager.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board is authorized to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve the application to Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for the Boating Improvement Grant Program. It is additionally recommended that the Board approve and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the attached associated FWC cover letter, letter of support and authorizing resolution naming Director of Procurement & Strategic Initiatives, Carla Rossiter-Smith, as the Authorized Representative to sign and submit the application on behalf of the Board as well as other funding-related documents as may be requested by FWC. Any future documents requiring her signature will be ratified by the Board.