Agenda - 09-15-2009 - 4q - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 15, 2009 Action Agenda Item No. Q- -G~ SUBJECT: Grant Application for Special Appropriations Project for Wastewater Pro-jec`ts~~ DEPARTMENT: County Manager & Planning PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Environmental Assessment -Efland Sanitary Sewer Improvements and Buckhorn Sanitary Sewer Improvements North of I-85 Special Appropriations Projects -Region 4 Procedures INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Benedict, 245-2592 Willie Best, 245-2308 PURPOSE: To submit an application to the Special Appropriations Project (SPAP) Division in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office for sewer grant funds in the Efland-Buckhorn area and authorize the Chair and Interim Manager to sign the application. BACKGROUND: Representative David Price made State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) earmarks in prior legislative sessions (FY 2003 and FY 2005). Although the associated engineering reports and design sewer projects have been in the State Department of Water Quality (DWQ) and EPA review process since May 2008, this grant application is necessary to secure the earmarks. These earmarks to Orange County for wastewater projects totaled $900,000 and $500,000 respectively. There have been discussions in Congress that a rescission of STAG funds may occur in FY 2010 that range between $40 and $140 million. EPA is therefore asking that all previous earmarks be formally awarded through a SPAP grant application. The application is being completed by Planning, Engineering and Finance. Orange County has contacted EPA officials and those officials suggested attendance at a Special Appropriations Fall Workshop on September 15-17, 2009 in Atlanta. Orange County will be represented at this conference to fully understand the aspects of the grant process. The full scope of the two wastewater projects (Central Efland and North Buckhorn) has been designed; however the construction extent of the projects will be linked to future costs and available funding. The grant is a County 45% matching grant.