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 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 the Waterway Assistance Program Application and Evaluation Worksheet No. 91-25 and 91-25 (A) through (F) (effective date 1/2014) 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, 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 the Waterway Assistance Program Project Application and Evaluation Worksheet No. 91-25 and 91-25 (A) through (F) 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. In addition, all applicants shall submit a complete and detailed Project Timeline (FIND FORM No. 96-10) (effective date 4-15-07).

(3) Sponsor Resolution: The project sponsor shall approve the submission of an application by official resolution from its governing board or commission. Said resolution shall be made on FIND Form No. 90-21, Resolution for Assistance Under the Florida Inland Navigation District Waterways Assistance Program (effective date 10-14-92), hereby incorporated by reference and available from the District office.

(4) Attorney’s Certification: If the application is for a project that is a land based development project the applicant shall submit an Attorney’s Certification of Title, FIND Form Number 94-26 (effective date 5-25-00), hereby incorporated by reference and available from the District office.

(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) Application Review: Applicants shall obtain the local FIND Commissioner’s 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 Commissioner’s 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. 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) Interlocal Agreements: Applications that the Board determines will directly benefit the maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway channel as documented by the District’s long range dredged material management plans, will directly benefit the maintenance of the Okeechobee Waterway channel as documented by the District’s long range dredged material management plan, will directly benefit the maintenance or improvement of District property, right-of-way or navigation interests, or have multiple funding partners including the Corps of Engineers as the project manager can qualify for project assistance through an interlocal agreement pursuant to Chapter 163, F.S., or Section 374.984(6)(a), F.S. District staff will identify these applications and present them to the Board for their determination as to funding. Interlocal agreement projects shall comply with all other provisions of this rule, except for pre-agreement expenses, permitting and property control requirements.

(8) Application Presentations: Applications determined to be complete and in compliance with this rule will be forwarded to the Board for review and then scheduled for presentation to the Board at a scheduled meeting of the Board. Applicants can decline to make a presentation to the Board by submitting a written request.

(9) Application Evaluation and Rating Score: Following the presentations, the Board will review the applications and evaluate them using the Waterways Assistance Program Application and Evaluation Worksheets No. 91-25 (A) through (F) for Waterways Assistance Program applications. The total points awarded to each application by the Commissioners will be averaged to determine an application’s final rating score. The final rating score for each application must equal or exceed 35 points for the application to be considered for funding assistance. Reconsideration of any application with a final rating score of less than 35 points will only occur if the majority of the Commissioners evaluating the project rated the project equal to or exceeding 35 points and two-thirds of the Commissioners vote for reconsideration of the application. Only Applicants that are eligible under Rule 66B-2.0061, F.A.C., “Disaster Relief Applications”, shall complete FIND Form No. 91-25F Emergency Re-Construction (effective date 4-24-06, 1/2014).

(10) Funding Determination: The Board will hold a funding allocation meeting at which time the Board will determine the allocation of funds, if any, to each project and the projects will be ranked by overall average score to facilitate final funding decisions by the Board. Allocations will be based in part upon the cumulative score of the applications as calculated from the Project Evaluation and Rating Form. Allocations will also be based upon the specific needs of the individual counties.

Rulemaking Authority 374.976(2) FS. Law Implemented 374.976(1) FS. History–New 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, 3-7-11, 1-27-14.