Approval is requested to submit a grant application and if approved, accept \n \n funds from the from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, \n \n Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project in the amount of up to \n \n $20,000,000 for planning, construction, and technical assistance on the Fall \n \n Line Ecosystem Restoration Project and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the \n \n award of the grant.
Approval
Approved
Background
The Fall Line Ecosystem Restoration Project is a public/private partnership
with Uptown Columbus, Inc. The project would remove two small, under utilized
and outdated overhead dams, restore fish habitat for shoal bass and other
species in a 2.3 mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River and allow the use of a
natural white-water course for related recreation consistent with Corps
planning policy. Together these project objectives will improve fish habitat
and environmental quality and advance eco-tourism and economic development for
the Columbus and Phenix City area.
Analysis
This project represents an extended partnership with numerous Federal and State
agencies to include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of
Natural Resources, NOAA Fisheries, Alabama Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, city of Phenix City, Georgia Power and the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers. The two dams, City Mills and Eagle/Phenix Mills, are owned by
Uptown Columbus, Inc. The City's partnership will include functioning as a
conduit for grant opportunities, resource for planning, development,
permitting, and possibly management of the resource upon completion of the
project.
Financial Considerations
The NOAA Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project provides 100% funding
as an economic stimulus project and requires no statutory matching funds. The
City will not be obligated to provide matching funds if awarded this grant.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
Legal Considerations
The City is a legal entity authorized to accept funding through this grant.
Recommendations/ Actions
Authorize the City Manager or Mayor to submit a grant application and if
approved, accept funds from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project in the amount of
up to $20,000,000 for planning, construction and technical assistance on the
Fall Line Ecosystem Restoration Project.
A RESOLUTION
NO.____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION AND IF APPROVED
ACCEPT FUNDS FROM THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, COASTAL
AND MARINE HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000,000 FOR
PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON THE FALL LINE ECOSYSTEM
RESTORATION PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Fall Line Ecosystem Restoration Project is a
public/private partnership with UPtown Columbus, Inc as well as an extended
partnership with numerous federal and state agencies to include the U. S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, NOAA Fisheries,
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers, city of Phenix City, Georgia Power; and,
WHEREAS, this project would remove two small, under utilized and
outdated overhead dams, restore fish habitat for shoal bass and other species
in a 2.3 mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River and allow the use of natural
whitewater course for related recreation consistent with Corps planning
policy. Together these two project objectives will improve fish habitat and
environmental quality and advance eco-tourism and economic development for the
Columbus/Phenix City areas; and,
WHEREAS, the two dams, City Mills and Eagle/Phenix Mills, are owned by
UPtown Columbus, Inc. The City's partnership will include functioning as a
conduit for grant opportunities, resource for planning, development,
permitting, and possible management of the resource upon completion of the
project.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
I.
That the Mayor, City Manager and City Attorney are hereby authorized to
submit a grant application and if approved accept funds from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration
Project in the amount of up to $20,000,000 for planning, construction, and
technical assistance on the Fall Line Ecosystem Restoration Project; and,
II.
Amend the Multi-Governmental fund by the amount awarded; and,
III.
The Mayor, City Manager and City Attorney are further authorized to
execute contracts and other documents associated with the receipt and
expenditure of these grant funds.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the _________day of _____________, 2009 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _____________members of said Council.