Board of County Commissioners Workshop

Transcription

1 Board of County Commissioners Workshop Date of Meeting: May 2, 2016 Date Submitted: April 25, 2016 To: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board From: David Edwards, County Administrator Subject: Workshop to Discuss a Proposed Aquaculture Use Zone in Wakulla County Statement of Issue: This Workshop is intended to allow the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to present a proposed Aquaculture Use Zone in Wakulla County to the BOCC. Background: The Board held Workshops on January 4, 2016 and January 19, 2016 in an effort to identify the needs of our seafood workers and to assist with possible solutions. Most recently, at the April 18, 2016 Board Meeting, the Board approved staff to schedule this Workshop. Analysis: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be present at this Workshop to discuss a proposed Aquaculture Use Zone in Wakulla County. PLEASE NOTE: The Board does not take action during Workshops; however, staff requests the Board provide direction and if any consensus is reached on how to proceed prior to this workshop concluding. The direction provided to staff will be included into the record of the minutes and will eliminate staff bringing back an agenda item to ratify. Attachments: 1. Aquaculture Presentation

2 Wakulla County Aquaculture Leasing Workshop May 2,2016 Wakulla County Board of County Commission Chambers Crawfordville, Florida

3 New Lease Area Location Process FDACS conducts resource survey to avoid seagrass, shellfish beds and other natural resources. Item reviewed by State (DEP/FWC/DOS) and Federal (ACOE/NMFS) agencies and local BOCC. Advertisement of proposed action in local newspaper. Compile the findings of the review and develop recommendations concerning the use of sovereignty submerged lands and water columns for consideration by the Board Presented to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund at a Cabinet meeting.

4 Aquaculture Lease Conditions/ Best Management Practices No wild product may be moved/relayed to an aquaculture lease. Must effectively cultivate lease (70,000 oysters/acre). Diploid oyster seed must be from Florida broodstock. Triploid oyster seed must be from Gulf of Mexico broodstock. Out of state source must be accompanied by diagnostic results and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Off-bottom structures must include leaseholder s identification information.

5 Aquaculture Lease Conditions/ Best Management Practices Sale, transfer or sublease prohibited for 5 years. No structures or platforms on leases. Shellfish must be sold to a certified processing facility. Install and maintain markers/lanterns pursuant to a USCG PATON.

6 Projected Costs $200 Submerged Lands Lease Application Fee $100 Annual Aquaculture Certificate of Registration Fee $86.92 Annual Lease Fees per 1.5-acre parcel $1,500-2,200 Surveying and Marking (estimated cost) $20,000- Culture Gear/system per acre (provided by William 30,000 Walton, Marine Fisheries Extension Specialist - Auburn University) $1,200- Oyster Seed Cost (provided by William Walton, Marine 6,000 Fisheries Extension Specialist - Auburn University) Need to consider cost of boat, insurance, grader, etc.

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11 Proposed Application Process Advertise local workshop to accept lease applications. Accepted on a first come, first served basis. Priority to Wakulla County residents. Preference to new leaseholders. Preference to applicants with experience (commercial saltwater products license) or training. One application will be accepted per natural and/or legal person (managers/owners of business entity may either apply as a natural person or a business, but not both).

12 Proposed Lease Parcel Selection Process FDACS staff will rank and develop a list of applicants based on the priority, preferences and order of receipt. FDACS staff will notify the sixteen highest ranked applicants and allow 2 weeks for applicants to complete the application by submitting the $200 application fee. If the $200 application fee is not received within the 2 week deadline, the application will be deactivated and the next highest ranked applicant will be notified and allowed 2 weeks to furnish the $200 application fee. FDACS staff will conduct an open meeting at which the 16 highest ranked applicants will select individual lease parcels in their order of rank.