DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF GRANT APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD FOR FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST, PARKS AND OPEN SPACE FLORIDA FOREVER PROGRAM
The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) will accept Fiscal Year 2018-19 grant applications, in accordance with Chapters 62-818 and 62-819, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), from Local Governments and eligible Nonprofit Environmental Organizations for the acquisition of community-based projects, urban open spaces, parks and greenways to implement local government comprehensive plans pursuant to the Florida Forever Act, Section 259.105, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Act, Chapter 380, Part III, F.S.
Pursuant to Chapter 2018-10, Section 70, Laws of Florida, the Florida Legislature intends that FCT emphasize funding projects in low-income or otherwise disadvantaged communities and projects that provide areas for direct water access and water-dependent facilities that are open to the public and offer public access by vessels to waters of the state, including boat ramps and associated parking and other support facilities. Also emphasized is the acquisition of lands for recreational trail systems.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD: JULY 2, 2018 – SEPTEMBER 17, 2018.
Applications will be accepted beginning July 2, 2018, and must be received by 5:00 p.m. (EDT), September 17, 2018. Applications must be received on or before the above stated deadline to be eligible for consideration. Applications received after the published deadline shall be deemed late and will not be considered.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Local Governments, Nonprofit Environmental Organizations, or a Partnership between two local governments or a local government and nonprofit environmental organization.
MAXIMUM GRANT REQUEST: The Florida Legislature appropriated $10 million in funding for FCT projects effective July 1, 2018. 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(s) or Nonprofit Environmental Organization(s) 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 award(s) for Partnership Applications shall, for purposes of calculation of award limitations, be divided equally among the Local Government(s) or Nonprofit Environmental Organization(s).
APPLICATION FORMS: Applications for funding must be made on Application Form FCT-5 following procedures outlined in subsection 62-818.003(1), F.A.C. Applicants must submit four (4) complete sets of Application materials. The Application Instructions Guide and Application Form FCT-5 for Fiscal Year 2018-19 submissions, as well as copies of the Rule Chapters may be obtained at https://floridadep.gov/ooo/land-and-recreation-grants/content/florida-communities-trust-fct-home or you may contact FCT Staff via email FloridaCommunitiesTrust@floridadep.gov, by phone (850)245-2501, or U.S. Mail at Florida Communities Trust, Department of Environmental Protection, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS #115, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.
WORKSHOPS: In conjunction with the beginning of the application cycle, FCT has scheduled three (3) workshops to provide technical assistance to potential grant applicants in understanding the application and acquisition processes. Workshops will be held in Tallahassee, Orlando, and Fort Myers. The schedule with dates, times and specific locations is listed below for your information. These free workshops are open to the public and no registration is required. You may also join the FCT Staff via Skype through the links listed below. Please contact FCT Staff at (850)245-2501 with any questions regarding the workshops.
WORKSHOPS DATES AND LOCATIONS:
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Place: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Douglas Building, Conference Rooms A and B, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Skype link: https://meet.lync.com/floridadep/linda.reeves/PZC18MJZ
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Place: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Central District Office, 3319 Maguire Boulevard, Suite 232, Orlando, Florida 32803
Skype link: https://meet.lync.com/floridadep/linda.reeves/B93757VH
Wednesday June 20, 2018
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Place: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South District Office, 2295 Victoria Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Skype link: https://meet.lync.com/floridadep/linda.reeves/JM9KYC3G
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 3 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Linda Reeves, (850)245-2501. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
