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It is requested that the data herein presented be .given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at its regular meeting of September 27, 1994. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS At .a recent Marine Advisory/Narrows Watershed Action Committee (MANWAC) meeting, the Committee voted to direct staff to investigate possible funding sources for producing an Indian River County boaters' brochure. The main purpose of the brochure is to provide boaters with an easy-to-use map (with explanation) relating to manatee protection speed zones in the Indian River Lagoon. Although the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEp) is in the process of developing a lagoon -wide boaters' guide, MANWAC members have discussed the need for a local, county specific brochure for distribution at marinas and other locations. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Division of Law Enforcement, has a Special Waterway Projects _Grant Program, with an application deadline of September 30, 1994. The criteria of the program are such that a County match for funding is not required. MANWAC, at its meeting of September 19, 1994, voted to recommend that the Board authorize staff to submit an FDEP grant application for brochure funding. Staff is requesting authorization to submit a grant application for 100% funding of a boaters' informational brochure, as recommended by MANWAC. ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS A potential funding source alternative for a boaters' informational brochure is the Florida Boating Improvement Program (FBIP) monies. However, the.- -balance of these funds have -been substantially allocated for improvements at the Blue Cypress recreational area and Round Island Park West. The FDEP Special Waterway Projects is a financial assistance Program providing grants to serve the needs of public motorized boating on marine and estuarine waters. Since Indian River County is considered a relatively small county, no match will be required for the grant. The grant does not have a funding limit. A boaters' informational brochure would fit the following grant .criteria: Projects that are intended to promote boating quality ___and/or boating safety. This category can include projects that improve navigation or correct navigational hazards, reduce user conflicts, and projects that will increase awareness and understanding of boating issues and laws; Projects that will increase public knowledge concerning boating safety by generating materials for distribution; Projects that will increase public knowledge concerning access points for boaters; and Projects that will reduce boating impacts to natural resources. SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 7