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ANALYSIS: Indian River County and the EP have entered into a cooperative agreement; a "Resolution Agreement", that is designed to create a partnership between DEP and the County that will allow the County to work towards the elimination of these Brine discharges into the Indian River Lagoon. As a mechanism to avoid these harmful discharges, the County has developed a unique program that will take the Brine reject water and mix it with a combination of stormwater and wastewater reuse water. The result is an alternative means of irrigation water that is available for golf courses: This alternative water supply source will now supplement local water supply demands. The Utility Department, as a means to offset the costs of implementing the Brine Alternative Water Supply Program, (estimated at being $3.5 million dollars), is seeking grants from the St. John s River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and the DEP in order to leverage the County's funds To date, the County has received an initial grant of 520,000 from SJRWMD, and has be the County will be receiving an additional $1,000 000 from DEP toward Phase`I of the project. It is the intent of the Utility Department to continue working with both the DEP and SJRWMD for additional funding that will go towards Phase 11 of the project. The Utility Department wishes to apply for two (2) additional grant fundingpro gams: SJRWMD sponsored alternative water supply o ��s' presented to for Commission for approval m December, and 2). AtDaEPlw ter supply will grant application under HB 851. As a means to establish a uniform process of funding critical water supply programs in the State, the legislature at the end of the 2002 session, approved 1-18 851 Inaddition, the legislature has budgeted $30,000,000 that will be reviewed, and those that meet DEP program criteria will be submitted to DEP for further review. Successful projects must not only meet the criteria set by DEP, but must have support from the local legislative delegation. Local Senate and House delegation will be important, because it is expected that there will be far more applications by local governments than there will be funding available. The Utility wished to submit a grant application to DEP as part of the HB 851 program, in the amount of $250,000. RECOMMENDATION. The Department of Utility Services recommends that the Board approve the Utilities' application for grant funding to the DEP, through HB 851. ON MOTION by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED by Commissioner Ginn, the Board unanimously approved the application for grant funding to the Department of Environmental Protection through House Bill 851, as recommended by staff. COPY OF APPLICATION WILL BE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD WHEN EXECUTED AND RECEIVED NOVEMBER 12, 2002 142 UA at 4S