66B-2.003: Definitions
66B-2.004: Policy
66B-2.005: Funds Allocation
66B-2.006: Application Process
66B-2.008: Project Eligibility
66B-2.009: Project Administration
66B-2.011: Reimbursement
66B-2.014: Small-Scale Spoil Island Restoration and Enhancement Projects
66B-2.015: Small-Scale Derelict Vessel Removal Projects
66B-2.016: Waterways Cleanup Events
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule development is to include the following provisions in the program rule: Ensure consistency within the rule and Chapter 374, F.S., and add maritime management plans as eligible projects; clarify the rule provisions for project application, funding, eligibility and administration; and include a section on Waterway Cleanup Events.
The effect of the rule development is to implement changes in the administration of the Districts Assistance Programs that will assist the District and program applicants in the review and evaluation of applications submitted pursuant to the rule.
SUMMARY: Minor changes to Waterways Assistance Program rule sections: Definitions, Policy, Funds Allocation, Application Process, Project Eligibility, Project Administration, Reimbursement, Small-Scale Spoil Island Restoration, Small-Scale Derelict Vessel Removal and the addition of Waterway Cleanup Events.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 374.976(2) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 374.976(1)-(3) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE,TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW(IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):
DATE AND TIME: January 18, 2011, 11:00 a.m.
PLACE: The FIND District Office, 1314 Marcinski Road, Jupiter, Florida
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: Mark Crosley, Assistant Executive Director, telephone number: (561)627-3386. 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).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mark Crosley, Assistant Executive Director, Florida Inland Navigation District, 1314 Marcinski Road, Jupiter, Florida 33477, telephone Number: (561)627-3386
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
66B-2.003 Definitions.
The basic terms utilized in this rule are defined as follows:
(1) through (11) No change.
(12) MARITIME MANAGEMENT PLAN means a written plan containg a systematic arrangement of elements specifically formulated to identify, evaluate and promote the benefits of eligible waterway accessibility and enjoyment, with consideration and respect to the physical, environmental and economic parameters of the planning area.
(12) through (29) renumbered (13) through (30) No change.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1) FS. HistoryNew 12-17-90, Amended 9-2-92, 2-6-97, Formerly 16T-2.003, Amended 5-17-98, 3-21-01, 3-20-03, 3-3-04, 4-21-05, 4-24-06, 4-15-07, 3-25-08,________.
66B-2.004 Policy.
The following constitutes the policy of the District regarding the administration of the program:
(1) No change.
(a) Member counties may be provided financial assistance, support or cooperation in planning, acquisition, development, construction, reconstruction, extension, improvement, operation or the maintenance of public navigation, local and regional anchorage management, beach renourishment, public recreation, inlet management, environmental education, maritime management plans, and boating safety projects directly related to the waterways.
(b) through (d) No change.
(2) through (11) No change.
Rulemaking Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1), (2) FS. HistoryNew 12-17-90, Amended 2-3-94, 2-6-97, Formerly 16T-2.004, Amended 5-18-98, 3-31-99, 5-25-00, 3-21-01, 7-30-02, 3-3-04, 4-21-05, 4-1-09, 2-22-10,________.
66B-2.005 Funds Allocation.
The Board will allocate funding for this program based upon the Districts overall goals, management policies, fiscal responsibilities and operational needs for the upcoming year. If funds are determined to be available for the program, the District will notify potential eligible governmental agencies of the availability of program funding. Applications will be reviewed by the Board utilizing District Forms No. 91-25 and 91-25 (a) through (f) Waterways Assistance Program Application Evaluation and Rating Worksheet (effective date 4-24-06); and 93-25 and 93-25 (a, b and c) Waterways Assistance Program Navigation Districts Application Evaluation and Rating Worksheet (effective date 4-24-06), hereby incorporated by reference and available from the District office.
(1) through (3) No change.
(4) Multi-Year Funding: The construction phase of projects that are large scale, involve multiple phases, have a construction time line of one year or longer, or are requesting a significant amount of assistance funding in relation to the total assistance available for the county where the project is located, will be reviewed and approved by the District Board for a multiple year period subject to budgeting and allocation pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 200, F.S. The determination by the Board to provide assistance funding on a multi-year basis can be made at any time during the application review process. All approved multi-year projects are limited to a maximum of two (2) additional funding requests.
(5) through (6) No change.
(7) Public Navigation: Projects or project elements in the category of public navigation that will qualify for up to seventy-five percent (75%) program funds must be within the Intracoastal Right-of-Way (ROW), or provide public navigation channel access to public launching, mooring or docking facilities. In addition, the following shall apply:
(a) through (b) No change.
(8) No change.
Rulemaking Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1), (3) FS. HistoryNew 12-17-90, Amended 6-24-93, 9-5-96, 2-6-97, Formerly 16T-2.005, Amended 5-17-98, 8-26-99, 3-21-01, 7-30-02, 3-3-04, 4-21-05, 4-24-06, 4-15-07, 3-25-08, 4-1-09,________.
66B-2.006 Application Process.
(1) Application Period: With the exception of eligible Disaster Relief Projects, eligible Small-Scale Spoil Island Restoration and Enhancement Projects and eligible Small-Scale Derelict Vessel Applications and Waterway Cleanup Events, all applications for assistance through this program will be submitted during the authorized submission period that shall be established by vote of the Board at a scheduled meeting.
(2) Application Forms: Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program Project Application FIND Form Number 90-22 (effective date 4-24-06) and 93-22a, Project Information Navigation Related Districts (effective date 4-24-06) are hereby incorporated by reference and available from the District office. With the exception of projects eligible under the Small-Scale Spoil Island Restoration and Enhancement program, and the Small-Scale Derelict Vessel program, and eligible Waterway Cleanup Events, all applications for financial assistance and support through this program from member counties and local governments shall be made on Form Number FIND 90-22 and shall include a detailed cost estimate submitted on FIND Form No. 90-25, Florida Inland Navigation District Assistance Program Project Cost Estimate, (effective date 4-24-06), hereby incorporated by reference and available from the District office. All applications for financial assistance and support through this program from navigation related districts shall be made on FIND Form Number 93-22 (effective date 4-24-06), hereby incorporated by reference and available from the District office, and shall include a detailed cost estimate submitted on FIND Form No. 90-25. In addition, all applicants shall submit a complete and detailed Project Timeline (FIND FORM No. 96-10) (effective date 4-15-07).
(3) through (4) No change.
(5) Maps and Geographic Information: All applicants shall be required to submit, at minimum, the following geographic information: A County location map, a project location map, a project boundary map, and a clear and detailed site development map for land development projects.
(6)(5) Application Review: Applicants shall obtain the local FIND Commissioners initials on Form No. 90-26 prior to submitting the application to the District office. It is the applicant's responsibility to make timely arrangements for the local FIND Commissioners review. In the absence of extenuating circumstances outside of the applicant's control as determined by the Board of Commissioners, an application shall not be considered complete if it does not include the local FIND commissioner's initials on Form No. 90-26. Applications will be reviewed by the local FIND Commissioner before being submitted to the District office. Upon receipt in the District office, staff will review the applications for completeness of the informational requirements identified in the Application Checklist, FIND Form Number 90-26 (effective date 7-30-02), and for compliance with the eligibility requirements of this rule. When an application is determined by staff to be incomplete or ineligible, staff will immediately inform the applicant by mail. The applicant will then have until the date established by the Board in the application package to bring the application into compliance. If the applicant fails to provide a complete application in compliance with these rules, the application will not be considered for funding. In order to have a complete application, the applicant shall not only submit the forms required under Rule 66B-2.006, F.A.C., and any other information requirements identified in the Application Checklist (FIND Form Number 90-26), but such forms and other submitted information must be completely filled out, executed as applicable, and also establish compliance with Chapter 66B-2, F.A.C.
(7) through (10) No change.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1) FS. HistoryNew 12-17-90, Amended 9-2-92, 6-24-93, 4-12-95, Formerly 16T-2.006, Amended 5-25-00, 3-21-01, 7-30-02, 3-20-03, 4-21-05, 4-24-06, 4-15-07, 3-25-08,________.
66B-2.008 Project Eligibility.
(1) Eligible Projects: Financial assistance and support through this program shall be used to plan or carry out public navigation and anchorage management, public recreation, environmental education, boating safety, acquisition and development of spoil sites and publicly owned commercial/industrial waterway access directly related to the waterways, acquisition and development of public boat ramps, launching facilities and boat docking and mooring facilities, inlet management, maritime management planning, environmental mitigation and beach renourishment.
(a) through (d) No change.
(2) through (4) No change.
(5) The District may assist eligible local governments with efforts to prepare and implement a comprehensive maritime management plan. The plan shall be utilized by the eligible government to promote and maximize the public benefit and enjoyment of eligible waterways, while identifying and prioritizing the waterway access needs of the community. The plan should not duplicate any existing or ongoing efforts for the same waterway or water shed, nor shall the District participate in any effort that does not address the basic maritime needs of the community.
(a) The District shall participate in one plan per County. Existing plans may be updated at reasonable intervals or amended to include waterway areas previously not included in the original effort. Public, government, environmental, industry and other pertinent interest groups shall be solicited and included for input in the planning process.
(b) The plan shall be utilized as a tool to provide a minimum 5-year planning analysis and forecast for the maritime needs of the community, and shall include, at minimum, the following:
1. Public boat ramp & ramp parking inventory and analysis.
2. Public mooring and docking facility analysis, including day docks and transient slips.
3. Commercial and working waterfront identification and needs analysis.
4. The identification, location, condition and analysis of existing and potential navigation channels.
5. An inventory and assessment of accessible public shorelines.
6. Public Waterway transportation needs.
7. Environmental conditions that affect boat facility siting, a current resource inventory survey, and restoration opportunities.
8. Economic conditions affecting the boating community and boating facilities.
9. Acknowledgment and coordination with existing data and information, including an emphasis on the Intracoastal Waterway.
(c) Projects requested for assistance program funding shall be consistent with the applicants maritime management plan. The applicant should utilize the plan to assist in prioritizing waterway improvement projects.
(6)(5) Final Decisions: The Board will make all final decisions on the eligibility of a Project or specific project costs.
Rulemaking Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1)-(3) FS. HistoryNew 12-17-90, Amended 9-2-92, 6-24-93, 2-3-94, 4-12-95, 9-5-96, 2-6-97, Formerly 16T-2.008, Amended 5-17-98, 3-31-99, 5-25-00, 3-21-01, 7-30-02, 3-20-03, 3-3-04, 4-15-07, 3-25-08, 4-1-09, 2-22-10,_________.
66B-2.009 Project Administration.
The District will appoint a project manager who shall be responsible for monitoring the project and the project agreement. The project manager shall also be responsible for approving all reimbursement requests. The project sponsor shall appoint a liaison agent, who will be a member of the eligible applicants staff, to act on its behalf in carrying out the terms of the project agreement. Administration of the project will be as follows:
(1) Project Agreement: For each funded project, the District and the project sponsor will enter into a project agreement. The project agreement shall be executed and returned by the project sponsor within six (6) months of the approval of the project funding and prior to the release of program funds, setting forth the mutual obligations of the parties concerning the project. The project agreement shall incorporate the applicable policies and procedures of the program as outlined in this rule. Project agreements will be for a two-year period with the possibility for one, one-year extension. Any request for a one-year extension of funding shall require submittal by the PROJECT SPONSOR of a request for extension to the DISTRICT no later than July of fiscal year two of the approved project. This request will then be considered by the DISTRICT Board, whose decision shall be final. In review of these requests, the Board will take into consideration the current status and progress of the project and the ability of the applicant to complete the project within one additional year.
(2) No change.
(3) Agreement Modification: All proposed changes to the project agreement must be submitted to the District in writing by the project sponsor accompanied by a statement of justification for the proposed changes. All project agreement amendments shall be approved by the District Board, except that the Executive Director may approve a minor project agreement amendment for a project within a county with the local District commissioners concurrence. A minor project amendment shall not change the approved projects category, nor result in a reallocation of more than 35% of the approved funding of the project among project elements, nor allow for a greater than 35% change in the project scale or scope of work. Project agreement amendments will not include a change to the approved projects location or a change in the approved projects purpose or project type. Agreed changes shall be evidenced by a formal amendment to the project agreement and shall be in compliance with these rules.
(4) through (9) No change.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1) FS. HistoryNew 12-17-90, Formerly 16T-2.009, Amended 3-21-01, 7-30-02,________.
66B-2.011 Reimbursement.
The District shall release program funds in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the project agreement. This release of program funds shall be on a reimbursement only basis. The District shall reimburse the project sponsor for project costs expended on the project in accordance with the project agreement. Project funds to be reimbursed will require the submission of a Reimbursement Request Form and required supporting documents, FIND Form No. 90-14 (effective date 7-30-02) hereby incorporated by reference and available from the District office.
(1) through (5) No change.
(6) Recovery of Additional Project Funding: If the project sponsor receives additional funding for the project costs from another source that was not identified in the original application and that changes the agreement cost-share percentage, the project sponsor shall proportionately reimburse the District's program funds equal to the cost-share percentage in the approved project agreement. The project sponsor shall promptly notify the District of any project payments it receives from a source other than the District.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1) FS. HistoryNew 12-17-90, Amended 6-24-93, Formerly 16T-2.011, Amended 3-31-99, 7-30-02,_________.
66B-2.014 Small-Scale Spoil Island Restoration and Enhancement Projects.
Proposals shall be accepted for the restoration or enhancement of spoil islands and natural islands within the Districts waterways for recreational, navigational, educational, and environmental purposes. The applicable provisions of this rule apply to these applications with the following additions or exceptions:
(1) through (2) No change.
(3) No change.
(a) No change.
(b) Property Control: The Project Sponsor must have written property rights on the Project site to construct and maintain the Project for a minimum of five years. Such property rights can be in the form of a lease, interlocal agreement, use agreement or other legal form approved by the District. The applicant shall include a map clearly delineating the location of all proposed work included in the application.
(4) through (5) No change.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1) FS. HistoryNew 7-30-02, Amended 4-24-06,________.
66B-2.015 Small-Scale Derelict Vessel Removal Projects.
Proposals shall be accepted for financial assistance for the removal of derelict vessels within the Districts waterways. The applicable provisions of this rule apply to these applications with the following additions or exceptions:
(1) through (5) No change.
(6) The derelict vessel must be located in the Districts Waterways, as defined in Rule 66B-2.003, F.A.C. The applicant shall include a map clearly delineating the location of all vessels included in the application.
(7) through (11) No change.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1) FS. HistoryNew 4-24-06, Amended 4-15-07, 3-25-08,_______.
66B-2.016 Waterways Cleanup Events.
Proposals shall be accepted for financial assistance for the organized removal of refuse within the Districts waterways. The applicable provisions of this rule apply to these applications with the following additions or exceptions:
(1) Application Procedure: Prior to the event, a request for funding shall be submitted to the District by means of a cover letter detailing the occurrence of the cleanup, contact information, a map of the cleanup locations and the general parameters of the event. In addition, the Applicant will submit a detailed budget clearly delineating the expenditure of all District funds, as well as the overall general budget of the event. Proposals may be submitted to the District and considered by the Board at any time during the year.
(2) Availability: The District shall fund a maximum of one clean-up program per waterway, per year within a county, with exception to the provisions of items (8) through (10), below.
(3) Applicant Eligibility: The clean-up program must be sponsored by a government agency or a registered not-for-profit corporation.
(4) Funding: District funding shall be limited to $5,000.00 per waterway, per county, except for the provisions of items (8) through (10), below.
(5) The District shall be recognized in all written, on-line, audio or video advertising and promotions as a participating sponsor of the clean-up program.
(6) Funding Eligibility: The funding provided by the District shall only be allocated to reimburse the applicant for out of pocket expenditures related to specific cleanup program expenses such as trash bags, trash collection, haul and landfill fees, gloves, advertising, T-shirts, and related expenses. The funding provided by the District shall not be allocated for parties, meetings, food or beverages.
(7) The District Board shall make all final decisions concerning the provision of funding for a clean-up program.
In addition to the requirements stated above, a cleanup program implementing all of the following additional incentives will qualify for up to additional $5,000 in clean up funds.
(8) The clean-up program budget must provide equal or greater matching funds for all Navigation District funding.
(9) The applicant shall tally and report the composition and location of the waterway-related debris, with the goal to show definitive progress in the amount of refuse collected, a reduction in the overall debris in the waterway, or an increase in the number of additional waterway areas included in the clean up.
(10) For each additional $1,000 in Navigation District funding, the applicant shall coordinate a minimum of one waterway collection point or clean up area, or an applicant can conduct an additional waterway cleanup program for the waterway areas.
Rulemaking Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1) FS. HistoryNew________.
