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.
