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Amendment No. 3 to Grant Agreement With Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for Florida Boating Improvement Program Grant Funding for Improvements at Lake Townsen Park Boat Ramp
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
On March 27, 2018, the Board approved Resolution 2018-32 supporting the Waterways Division Application to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for funds in the Fiscal Year 2019 and 2020 budgets to complete improvements to the Lake Townsen Park boat ramp, located on the Withlacoochee River. The grant award was approved and executed April 26, 2019. The total grant award is $91,500 with the County to contribute any required funding above this.
The Lake Townsen Park boat ramp provides regional access to the Withlacoochee River and is the primary access to the river for boaters and fisherman that launch medium to large size shallow draft boats. Improvements are needed to Lake Townsen Park boat ramp to enable year-round use and to improve launching accessibility. The gravel ramp and parking are frequently eroded during rain events. Residents launching their boats have difficultly due to rutting. Currently, there are no boarding docks in place to provide a stable platform for passengers to board their vessels and to secure their vessels while parking their vehicle and boat trailer.
Delays in the early stages of the grant agreement as well as in the permitting process resulted in additional time needed to complete the design and construction of the improvements. Amendments 1 and 2 were submitted to the Board extending the time for completion to March 31, 2022, then March 31, 2023. In February, FWC was notified that additional time would be needed due to staffing changes within Aquatic Services and Waterways Department. Amendment 3 has been prepared by FWC for Grant Agreement #18075 and will extend the completion date to March 31, 2024.
Staff recommends that the Board approve Project Grant Agreement No. 18075 Amendment...
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