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Ratification of Grant Application Submitted to State Department of Environmental Protection for Local Trail Management Program for Trail Maintenance at Cypress Lakes Preserve
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
This summer, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection released the notice of available funding through the TRAIL-GO Program. This program was established to assist local governments with costs associated with the operation and maintenance of trails within the Florida Greenways and Trails (FGT) System.
The Cypress Lake Preserve is within the FGT and Wildlife Corridor. To increase accessibility to the trail, the grant funds would be used to prune trees along 7,200 linear feet and mow 1.5 miles of trail to expand the trail width from 4-6 feet. Additionally, there is a wooden bridge that needs to be evaluated for maintenance concerns.
The cost breakdown for the grant application is as follows:
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Item |
Cost |
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Pruning (7,200 linear feet) |
$72,000.00 |
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Mowing (1.5 miles) |
$150/mow, 15 mows - $2,250.00 |
|
Bridge Inspection |
$1,000.00 |
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Total |
$75,250.00 |
The Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department, Environmentally Sensitive Lands Division, presented the application and supporting materials to the County Administrator for approval and submitted the application on August 22, 2024. Due to the short period of time between notification of available funding and application deadline, Board approval was not received prior to submittal.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No match is required for this application; there is no financial impact associated with this request.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board has the authority to take action on this request pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board ratify the grant application submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.