Department of Environmental Protection, Departmental  

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    DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

    NOTICE OF PROJECT APPROVAL AND FUNDING

    The Florida Communities Trust (Trust) has approved funding applications submitted under the Florida Communities Trust, Florida Forever Program, Florida Forever 19 (FF19) funding cycle. On March 26, 2019, the Governing Board (Governing Board) of the Trust met, scored, ranked, and selected applications for funding according to the criteria and procedures set forth in Chapter 62-818, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). After staff conducted site visits as required by Rule 62-818.009, F.A.C., the Governing Board met on June 6, 2019, and approved the final ranking list. In accordance with Rule 62-818.009, F.A.C., the projects listed below as “approved” have received final approval for funding. The approval is subject to appeal and may change following the appeals process. If any Applicant files an appeal and the result of the appeal process changes the ranking of the funded applications, the Governing Board will issue another notice.

     

    The Governing Board approved certain additional applications for funding contingent upon funds becoming available either through other projects terminating, or projects closing under budget. If funding becomes available, these projects will be funded in the order in which they are currently ranked.

     

    The following projects were approved for funding with funds currently available:

     

    APPROVED

    Project No.

    Project Name

    Applicant

    FCT Grant Award

    18-018-FF19

    South Dade Wetlands Preserve

    Acquisition Project

    Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program

    $1,500,000.00

    18-017-FF19

    North Fork II Addition

    (Zorc Parcels)

    St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners

    $264,236.21

    18-019-FF19

    Serenola Forest

    Alachua Conservation Trust, Inc.

    $1,500,000.00

    18-001-FF19

    Turkey Creek Park: Hardee's Site

    City of Niceville

    $700,000.00

    18-021-FF19

    Turnbull Creek Watershed

    Preservation Project

    City New Smyrna Beach

    $3,620,000.00

    18-011-FF19

    Tract B

    City of Fellsmere

    $3,163,500.00

     

    The following projects were approved for funding, however sufficient funds are not currently available to fund these projects. Should funds become available, these projects may receive funding in the order of their ranking.

     

    APPROVED SUBJECT TO FUNDING

    Project No.

    Project Name

    Applicant

    FCT Grant Award

    18-009-FF19

    Oak Trails Park Expansion

    City of Coconut Creek

    $1,135,649.10

    18-016-FF19

    Acquisition of Salty's Bayside

    City of Marathon

    $1,488,000.00

    18-014-FF19

    Acquisition of Quay Bayside

    City of Marathon

    $844,800.00

    18-006-FF19

    Gore Property

    Collier County

    $441,000.00

    18-013-FF19

    Isle of Palms Park

    City of Treasure Island

    $286,024.20

    18-022-FF19

    Estero River Land Purchase

    Village of Estero

    $5,000,000.00

    18-012-FF19

    Fairlawn Acquisition

    City of Miami

    $383,335.00

    18-005-FF19

    Capri Property

    Collier County

    $122,731.50

    18-004-FF19

    Spring Haven Wildlife Corridor

    City of North Port

    $750,000.00

     

    NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING RIGHTS

    Any person with substantial interests that are or may be determined by the approval of funds for projects by the Trust has a right to an informal administrative proceeding pursuant to Section 120.57(2), Florida Statutes (F.S.), if the person does not dispute issues of material fact raised by this decision. If an informal proceeding is held, the petitioner will have the opportunity to be represented by counsel, to present to the agency written or oral evidence in opposition to the Trust action, or to present a written statement challenging the legal grounds upon which the Trust is justifying its actions.

     

    Alternatively, any person with substantial interests that are or may be determined by the approval of funds for projects by the Trust has a right to a formal administrative hearing pursuant to Section 120.57(1), F.S., if the person disputes any issues of material fact stated in this decision. At a formal hearing the petitioner may be represented by counsel and will have the opportunity to present evidence and argument on all the issues involved, to conduct cross-examination and submit rebuttal evidence, to submit proposed findings of fact and orders, and to file exceptions to any order or hearing officer’s recommended order.

     

    If a person with a substantial interest desires either an informal proceeding or a formal hearing, the person must file with the Trust Clerk a written response or pleading entitled “Petition for Administrative Proceedings” within 21 calendar days of the publication date of this notice of final agency action. The petition must be in the form required by Rule 28-106.201, F.A.C. A petition is filed when it is received by the: Trust Clerk, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of General Counsel, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000. A petition must specifically request an informal proceeding or a formal hearing, it must admit or deny each material fact contained in this decision, and it must state any defenses upon which the petitioner relies. If the petitioner lacks knowledge of a particular allegation of fact, it must so state and that statement will operate as a denial.

     

    Any person with substantial interests that are or may be determined by the approval of funds for projects by the Trust waives the right to an informal proceeding or a formal hearing if a Petition for Administrative Proceeding is not filed with the Trust Clerk within 21 days of the date of publication of the notice of final agency action.

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