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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, 3-7-11, 3-25-21.
<br />6611-2.004 Policy.
<br />The following constitutes the policy of the District regarding the administration of the program:
<br />(1) Financial Assistance Eligibility: Financial assistance, support and cooperation may be provided to eligible governmental
<br />agencies for approved projects as follows:
<br />(a) Member counties may be provided financial assistance, support or cooperation in planning, acquisition, development,
<br />construction, reconstruction, extension, improvement, operation or the maintenance of public navigation, local and regional
<br />anchorage management, beach renourishment, public recreation, inlet management, environmental education, maritime management
<br />plans, and boating safety projects directly related to the waterways.
<br />(b) Eligible local governments may also be provided financial assistance, support and cooperation in planning and carrying out
<br />public navigation, local and regional anchorage management, beach renourishment, public recreation, inlet management,
<br />environmental education, and boating safety projects directly related to the waterways.
<br />(c) Navigation related districts may be provided with financial assistance to pay part of the costs of the planning and acquisition
<br />of dredge material management sites if the Board finds that the site is required for the long-range maintenance of the Atlantic
<br />Intracoastal Waterway channel. All such sites must meet the development and operational criteria established by the District through
<br />a long-range dredge material management plan for that county. Navigation related districts may also be provided with assistance for
<br />waterway related access projects, environmental mitigation projects associated with waterway improvement related activities, and
<br />inlet management projects if the Board finds that the project benefits public navigation in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. All
<br />navigation related districts shall contribute at least equal matching funds to any District financial assistance provided. Seaports may
<br />also be furnished assistance and support in planning and carrying out environmental mitigation projects. All seaport projects shall
<br />benefit publicly maintained channels and harbors. Each seaport shall contribute matching funds for funded projects.
<br />(d) Eligible projects shall include the acquisition and development of public boat ramps and launching facilities, including those
<br />in man-made, navigable waterways contiguous to "waterways" as defined in Rule 6613-2.003, F.A.C.
<br />(2) Notification: The District will notify by direct mail, email and/or advertised public notice all eligible governmental agencies
<br />of the program and the upcoming authorized submission period.
<br />(3) Project Approval: Approval of projects by the District shall be in accordance with these rules.
<br />(4) Project Accessibility: Facilities or programs funded in whole or in part by program funds shall be made available to the
<br />general public of all of the member counties on a non-exclusive basis without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex or similar
<br />condition. Additionally, facilities funded in whole or in part by program funds, shall not require a paid membership for the general
<br />public of all of the member counties as a condition to use the facilities. User or entrance fees may be charged for the use of facilities
<br />funded in whole or in part by program funds, however such fees shall be reasonable and shall be the same for the general public of
<br />all of the member counties.
<br />(5) Waterway Impacts: All development projects must be designed so as not to impact navigation along the District's waterways
<br />through the placement of structures, attendant uses, or the necessity of a boating speed zone for safety purposes. Before applying for
<br />boating speed zone designation in District waterways because of a project funded by this program, the sponsor shall first receive
<br />approval from the Board. The Board will use the criteria found in Section 327.46(1), F.S., in determining whether to approve the
<br />proposed boating speed zone.
<br />(6) Project Maintenance: The project sponsor shall be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and management of the
<br />project for the anticipated life of the project and shall be responsible for all expenses required for such purposes. The project shall be
<br />maintained in accordance with the standards of maintenance for other similar local facilities and in accordance with applicable
<br />health standards. Project facilities and improvements shall be kept reasonably safe and in reasonable repair to prevent undue
<br />deterioration and to encourage public use. The project sponsor shall have full legal authority and financial ability to operate and
<br />maintain the project facilities.
<br />(7) Education Facilities and Programs: Waterways related environmental education facilities and programs sponsored by the
<br />District shall occur at specially designated environmental education facilities located adjacent and contiguous to the waterways. It is
<br />the District's intent to consolidate its environmental education efforts in the least number of facilities within an area that will
<br />adequately serve the education needs of that area of the District.
<br />(8) Public Information Availability: Public information produced with assistance from this program shall not be copyrighted and
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