1. Accept Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) grant agreement No. 19LE2 for the Regional Inlet Management Study in the amount of $422,596.00 ($316,947 FDEP share & $105,649 local match requirement).

2. Authorize the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners to execute the grant agreement

3. Approve Budget Amendment Resolution in the amount of $316,947.00 for unanticipated grant revenue and to establish a project budget in the amount of $422,596.00. Amend the FY 18/19 Capital Improvement Budget accordingly.

4. Authorize Natural Resources Director to execute future modifications or change orders if required, as long as they do not change the funding obligation of the County.

Accepts award of a grant from Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the Estero Bay Regional Inlet Management Study in the amount of $422,596 (75% FDEP and 25% local match). The study area includes three interdependent Estero barrier inlets: Big Carlos Pass, New Pass and Big Hickory Pass. The primary focus of the study is to determine the volume and location of beach eroded sand in each of the inlets. The results will then be used to determine the best method for dredging each inlet and renourishing the adjacent eroded beaches. The local match of 25% will come from the Beach Renourishment Trust Fund project.

Natural Resources submitted a request for funding to FDEP for Fiscal Year 2018-2019. The proposal was selected and awarded the amount of $316,947.00. The study will evaluate options and provide potential recommendations for the ongoing management of the passes and the adjacent beaches within the respective areas of influence.

The primary focus of this regional inlet management study will be to develop sediment budgets (available beach sand) for three (3) interdependent Estero Barriers inlets within southern Lee County and to evaluate strategies of inlet sediment management, which will result in balancing the sediment budget between the inlets and adjacent beaches pursuant to the requirements of Section 161.142, Florida Statutes.

Also, the Study will be developed and utilized collaboratively by Lee County and the West Coast Inland Navigation District, and will provide information needed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in order to adopt an Inlet Management Plan for the passes.

Agreement begin date is 6/1/2019.  Grant date of expiration is 7/31/2022.

If grant accepted, contractor will be selected and submitted to the BoCC for approval at a future date.