DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF GRANT APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD FOR FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) will accept Fiscal Year 2016-17 grant applications, in accordance with Rule Chapters 62-818 and 62-819, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C), from local governments and non-profit environmental organizations requesting funding awards to acquire conservation or recreation lands to enhance recreational opportunities for individuals with unique abilities, pursuant to the Florida Forever Act, Section 259.105, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Act, Chapter 380, Part III, Florida Statutes. The Florida Legislature awarded $10 million in funding for FCT projects effective July 1, 2016. Pursuant to Chapter 2016-62, Laws of Florida, FCT funds allocated to projects for the acquisition of conservation or recreation lands must be used to enhance recreational opportunities for individuals with unique abilities.
UNIQUE ABILITIES PROJECT REQUIREMENT
Eligible projects submitted for funding in Fiscal Year 2016-17 must “provide accessibility, availability or adaptability of conservation or recreation lands for individuals with unique abilities which will incorporate adaptations or modifications to the design and development of recreational resources or equipment to meet the needs of all potential participants including those with physical or developmental disabilities,” pursuant to the 2016 amendments of Section 380.507, Florida Statutes.
The Application must provide specific, detailed documentation on how the Project Site will fulfill this legislative directive in the Project Summary and Project Excellence sections of the application. All applications received for Fiscal Year 2016-17 funding, must demonstrate projects that enhance recreational opportunities for individuals with unique abilities or will be deemed ineligible.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD: Applications will be accepted beginning June 17, 2016, and must be received by 5:00 p.m. (ET), August 30, 2016. Applications must be received on or before the above stated deadline to be eligible for consideration.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Local governments and non-profit environmental organizations.
LIMITS ON AWARDS: The Legislature has appropriated $10 million in funds for the Fiscal Year 2016-17 submission cycle. Under the provisions of subsection 62-818.003(7), F.A.C., the total amount of any award or combination of awards applied for by any local government or nonprofit environmental organization under any application(s) or partnership application(s) for any project(s) shall not exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) during any one cycle. All awards for partnership applications, for the purposes of calculating award limits, shall be divided equally among the local government or nonprofit environmental organization.
APPLICATION INFORMATION: Application Form FCT-5 and the instructions for Fiscal Year 2016-17 submissions, as well as copies of the rule chapter may be obtained at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/FL_Communities_Trust/default.htm or you may contact FCT staff via email http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/FL_Communities_Trust/staff.htm, (850)245-2501, Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Operations, Land and Recreation Grants Program, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 115, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: The FCT Staff will conduct a webinar overview of the FCT application process and a short overview of the program: June 23, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. To attend in person, please join Staff at Department of Environmental Protection, Douglas Building Conference Room A and B, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399. The GoToWebinar registration link follows: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8071990223561757698.
APPLICATION DELIVERY ADDRESS: For mail and carrier service deliveries, the delivery address is: Florida Communities Trust, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 115, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. For hand deliveries, the delivery location is: Florida Communities Trust, 3rd Floor, Carr Building, 3800 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399.
MORE INFORMATION: For more information, you may contact: FCT staff via email at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/FL_Communities_Trust/staff.htm, by phone at (850)245-2501, or U.S. mail Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Operations, Land and Recreation Grants Program, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Mail Station 115, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
