Item O20 0.20
Coty f � ,�� ,' BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
�� Mayor David Rice,District 4
The Florida Keys � Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates,District I
y Michelle Coldiron,District 2
James K.Scholl,District 3
Ij Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
County Commission Meeting
June 15, 2022
Agenda Item Number: 0.20
Agenda Item Summary #10699
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: County Administrator
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Lisa Tennyson (305)292-4444
10:30 AM
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of the Monroe County 2022-2023 Federal Legislative
Agenda.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Each year, the County develops a Federal legislative agenda. Attached for your review and approval
is the 2022-2023 Federal Legislative Agenda.
The agenda includes a proposed list of substantive federal legislative priorities and general issues,
and welcomes the addition or deletion of issues that the Board deems appropriate for the County's
federal legislative efforts. For informational purposes, staff has included background and discussion
on many of the legislative issues listed.
Standing priorities include support for NFIP reauthorization that focuses on keep flood insurance
premiums affordable, federal disaster-related funding (NRCS, CDBG-DR, HMGP, and FEMA
reimbursements), funding for PILT, FKWQIP, coral reef protection, the National Marine Sanctuary,
and Everglades Restoration, veterans support, and opposition to oil drilling in Florida's coastal
waters.
After Hurricane Irma, we were severely impacted by amount and cost of marine debris,
programmatic funding of which has become another focus of our federal work. The County relied
upon the NRCS Emergency Watershed Program to help with marine debris removal costs, but we
need changes in that program's rules to ensure that the program will be available to us in the future.
We are also working on changes to FEMA's funding to enable its available to us for marine debris
removal in future post-storm events.
During the 2020 and 2021, our federal work focused on advocacy related to the COVID-19
pandemic, namely support for additional federal funding to bolster the local economy, support
community needs and for small local governments with passage of the CARES Act in 2020 and
American Rescue Plan in 2021. We also worked on eliminating the cost share requirement for
FEMA Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 emergency.
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Currently, our federal efforts are focused on authorization for the County's Coastal Risk
Management project(with the Army Corp) in the 2022 WRDA bill and securing funding to start the
PED phase of that project. Also new to our efforts are federal appropriations requests ("earmarks.")
For the first time in a decade, Congress was willing to consider these for its 2022 federal budget.
The County was successful in securing a $5.4M earmark in the 2022 budget to help fund flood
mitigation for the Twin Lakes community. For the next federal budget(2023), we have submitted
two appropriations requests.
Upon Board approval, staff and federal contract lobbyist Greg Burns, with Thorn Run Partners
will pursue the legislative issues approved by the Board, and in so doing,place appropriate priority
on the issues that the Board directs to receive a special level of attention in 2022/23.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
• Approval of the 2020 Federal Legislative Agenda, May 2020
• Approval of the 2019 Federal Legislative Agenda, Jan 2019
• Approval of the 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda, June 2018
• Approval of the 2017 Federal Legislative Agenda, May 2017
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
2022 Monroe County Federal Agenda(Final)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
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0.20
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
REVIEWED BY:
Bob Shillinger Skipped 05/31/2022 3:51 PM
Lindsey Ballard Completed 05/31/2022 3:51 PM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 06/15/2022 9:00 AM
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Prepared by Thorn Run Partners for the 04
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Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Mayor David Rice
Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates
Commissioner Michelle Coldiron
Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein
Commissioner Jim Scholl
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Roman Gastesi, County Administrator
Lisa Tennyson, Legislative Affairs Director
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Questions regarding the information in this book may be directed to:
Greg Burns Lisa Tennyson
(202) 849-8523 (305)292-4441
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r Table of Contents
Federal Legislative Agenda Summary Page 3
Primary Issues
1. Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations: Card Sound Bridge and Page 5
Monroe County Coastal Storm Risk Management Study as
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2. Infrastructure and Resiliency Investments Page 6
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3. Army Corps of Engineers Programs—Monroe County Coastal Page 9 as
Storm Risk Management Study,Everglades Restoration, 04
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& Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program 04
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4. Natural Resource Conservation Service Emergency Page 11
Watershed Protection Program
5. National Flood Insurance Program Page 13
6. Coral Reef Restoration Page 15
7. Payments In Lieu of Taxes Page 16
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Other Issues
1. Land Acquisition Page 17
2. Federal Aviation Administration—Key West Airport Issues Page 19
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3. Veterans Affairs Issues Page 20
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4. Oil and Gas Drilling and Oil Spill Protection Page 22CD
5. Social Service Programs Page 24
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6. Public Safety Programs Page 26
7. Naval Air Station,Key West Base Realignment and Closure Page 27
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r Monroe County
2022 Federal Legislative Agenda
Primary Issues
Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations: Card Sound Bridge and Monroe County Coastal Storm Risk
Management Study
Support$1,863,200 in federal funding from the FY 2023 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development M
Appropriations bill, Highway Infrastructure Projects account for the Card Sound Bridge Replacement Planning, r_
Design &Engineering Project. Support$1,040,000 in federal funding from the FY 2023 Energy&Water
Appropriations bill, Army Corps of Engineers, Investigations account to fund the federal share of planning, <
engineering and design for the US 1 Revetments and Shoreline Stabilization portion of the Monroe County as
Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.
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Infrastructure and Resiliency Investments CD
Monitor implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Support all opportunities to secure funding for I
Monroe County's infrastructure priorities. Support the development of funding programs to assist with the CD
implementation of more robust resilience infrastructure and to assist with long-term operations and maintenance
costs. Monitor federal climate change legislation and executive actions. Support federal efforts to address
climate change and mitigate sea level rise. Support the federal legislative priorities of the Southeast Florida
Regional Climate Change Compact.
Army Corps of Engineers Programs—Monroe County Storm Risk Management Study,Everglades °CD
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Restoration, &Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program
Support funding for Army Corps of Engineers programs that directly support Monroe County,including for the L_
Monroe County Coastal Storm Risk Management project,the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program G
and Everglades Restoration. U_
Natural Resource Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Protection Program
Support changes to the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection program or develop new authorities for another
agency to effectively manage removal of debris in all nearshore marine environments to appropriately respond to 0
future disasters in the Florida Keys.
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National Flood Insurance Program 04
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Support efforts to improve the National Flood Insurance Program for the benefit of all participants. Support 04
legislation to limit annual rate increases to no greater than 9%per year for all policyholders, thereby limiting the
impact of the new Risk Rating 2.0 pricing methodology. Monitor FEMA's next steps regarding changes to the
NFIP Floodplain Management Standards. Support prohibition of the issuance of flood insurance for new
development on properties in the Florida Keys that contain known or suitable habitat for federally-listed
endangered species.
Coral Reef Restoration
Support the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act and any efforts to address coral reef restoration.
Payments In Lieu of Taxes
Support full, long-term mandatory funding of the Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT)program,which enables
local governments to rely upon PILT funds when budgeting.
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Other Issues
Land Acquisition
Support federal funding to acquire appropriate properties to mitigate environmental resource or military
encroachment concerns in Monroe County.
Federal Aviation Administration—Key West Airport Issues
Support annual appropriations to match authorized amounts for the Airport Improvement Program. Support
Monroe County's grant proposals for funding through the FAA Airport Improvement Program. Support federal
funding for sound attenuation activities around military air facilities.
Veterans Affairs Issues
Support improvements to the VA Mission Act that will allow Monroe County veterans to fully benefit from the '0
law. Support additional educational benefits for our nation's veterans to allow them to attend post-secondary U_
schools more quickly after service concludes. Support improvements to the VA Transition Assistance Program 04
that will help support veterans as they transition to civilian life,including an opportunity to reattend the program 04
should they desire to in the future. 04
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Oil and Gas Drilling and Oil Spill Protection
Oppose the potential expansion of energy exploration in Florida. Support revisions to the Oil Pollution Act of
1990 and other associated laws to ensure that local governments may act as first responders in an effort to protect
local communities and be reimbursed for their actions undertaken to protect their resources and restore damaged
areas during oil spill events, and the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is capable of addressing Spills of National
Significance where there is not a financially viable or legally responsible party.
Social Service Programs as
Support continued adequate annual funding the Continuum of Care homeless response program, Older Americans
Act programs that support programs serving elderly persons, and for the Social Services Block Grant program, all
of which support critical social services to Monroe County.
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Public Safety Programs as
Support continued funding for the wide variety of DOJ and DHS grants,i.e., Community Oriented Policing
Services, Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, Emergency Management Preparedness Grants, Assistance to c
Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants,Urban Areas Security Initiative 04
grants, and other security-specific grants. Support any Monroe County applications for these funds. CD
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Naval Air Station,Key West Base Realignment and Closure
Monitor activities related to the Department of Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission for potential E
impacts to Naval Air Station, Key West.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations: Card Sound Bridge and Monroe County Coastal Storm
Risk Management Study
BACKGROUND, HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: Monroe County made two Fiscal Year(FY)
2023 appropriations requests of Congressman Gimenez this year after having successfully secured funding in FY
2022 for the Twin Lakes mitigation project.
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Card Sound Bridge
Card Sound Bridge is one of 26 bridges that Monroe County maintains throughout the County. The Monroe L_
County Board of County Commissioners supports the Card Sound Bridge replacement project because it is a G
critical part of our county road network,is one of only two evacuation routes from the Florida Keys to the U_
mainland, and needs replacement. 04
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The Card Sound Bridge was constructed in 1969 and is scheduled for replacement to ensure the continued safety 04
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of the transportation route. Monroe County requests funding for 80 percent of the estimated cost for the PD&E
phase of the project. The remaining 20 percent of the estimated cost will be funded by local revenues.
Monroe County CSRM(discussed in a later Army Corps Section)
Monroe County has for the past several years partnered with the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) on a CSRM
feasibility study using previously approved hurricane supplemental funding from Congress to propose storm
damage mitigation strategies for the County.
The Monroe County project has three main components:
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1) Stabilization of US 1
2) Dry floodproofing of 53 critical buildings
3) Elevation and dry floodproofing of residential and nonresidential buildings c
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It is anticipated that stabilization of US 1 will occur first,with Planning, Engineering, and Design(PED) to be
followed by construction, should funding be provided by Congress. After that, additional PED would be required 0
to implement the other phases of the project. The PED phase is cost-shared 65% - 35% and the County is 04
working with the Florida Department of Transportation, the owner of US 1,to assist with the non-federal costs of CD
PED. The federal share of the PED phase for the US 1 revetment is $1,040,000.
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POSITION: Support$1,863,200 in federal funding from the FY 2023 Transportation, and Housing and Urban E
Development Appropriations bill, Highway Infrastructure Projects account for the Card Sound Bridge
Replacement Planning, Design &Engineering Project. Support$1,040,000 in federal funding from the FY 2023
Energy&Water Appropriations bill, Army Corps of Engineers, Investigations account to fund the federal share
of planning, engineering and design for the US 1 Revetments and Shoreline Stabilization portion of the Monroe
County Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Infrastructure and Resiliency Investments
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: Last year, Congress passed the 2,700+page
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act(IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) after months
of speculation,negotiation, and debate. The roughly $1.2 trillion measure is split almost in half between two main
components:
1) A five-year surface transportation reauthorization to continue upon the expiration of the previous
authorization known as the FAST Act; and
2) Roughly $550 billion in additional investment in infrastructure, generally intended to be spent over five
years, more than half of which will go towards transportation.
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President Biden initially proposed spending $2.6 trillion on physical infrastructure,whereas the BIL instead 04
includes $550 billion in new spending above the transportation authorization bill. A visual representation of the 04
broad differences between the two plans follows: N
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Broadly speaking, the IIJA proposes the following in new, above baseline spending above what is proposed as an
extension of surface transportation programs,with more than half of the funding going towards transportation:
• Transportation: $284 billion o Electric Vehicle Chargers: $7.5
o Roads &Bridges: $110 billion billion
o Transit: $39 billion o Electric Buses: $7.5 billion
o Rail: $66 billion o Reconnecting Communities: $1
o Safety: $11 billion billion
o Airports: $25 billion • Water: $55 billion
o Ports &Waterways: $17 billion . Broadband: $65 billion
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• Energy&Power: $73 billion Resiliency: $46 billion
• Environmental Remediation: $21 billion
• Western Water Infrastructure: $8.3
billion
The Department of Transportation will have a tremendous influence over where a large percentage of the new
funding for transportation is spent: more than $105 million will be provided via competitive grant applications—
more than 1/3rd of the overall funding. '0
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Some programs that may be of most interest to Monroe County include:
• Bridge Investment Program: $36.74 billion over 5 years "a
o $27.5 billion via formula and$9.24 billion via competitive application '0
o For large and small bridge projects U_
• EV Charging Grants -- $2.5 billion; 5 years; 5 application periods 04
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o Two types of opportunities: General Grants and Community Grants (the latter MUCH more 04
relevant to Monroe) 04
o Community Grants will be awarded to applicants targeting new charging infrastructure located on N
public roads, schools,parks, and in publicly accessible parking facilities. These grants will be
prioritized for rural areas, low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, and communities with low r_
ratios of private parking or high ratios of multiunit dwellings. Grants capped at$15M per award.
o This is in addition to the $513 state formula grant program. '0
• PROTECT Grant Program -- $1.4 billion; 5 years; 5 application periods
o Intended to strengthen infrastructure in the face of severe weather events and natural disasters,
with an emphasis on flooding,but with other eligible uses relating to wildfire mitigation and sea-
level rise.
o Divided among four programs: Planning Grants($140M), Resilience Improvement Grants as
($980M), Community Resilience and Evacuation Route Grants ($140M), and At-Risk Coastal
Infrastructure Grants ($140M)
o This is in addition to the $7.313 state formula grant program c
• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIG): $1 billion over 5 years (additional as
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funding above what will otherwise be provided).
o Competitive application. 2
o Formerly known as the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. 04
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Resiliency and Sea Level Rise
The Florida Keys is on the forefront of climate change, already experiencing impacts from sea level rise,
including widespread road flooding during the king tide seasons. Residents can also anticipate increased
hurricane intensity,higher heat indexes, and a host of other related changes that impact access,health, the
economy, ability of government to provide local services, etc. Given the County's vulnerabilities to sea-level
rise, as well as its international presence as a premier tourist destination, Monroe County must demonstrate
leadership through the implementation of key policies,practices, and investments that will allow the County and
its residents to prepare for the impacts of climate change. As a result, the County is developing and enacting local
projects,programs, and policies to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
In 2016, Monroe County completed GreenKeys, a comprehensive study on the effects of local sea level rise and
climate change mitigation strategies. The study utilized a planning scenario for sea level rise of 9 to 24 inches in
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the next fifty years. The data indicated that even using a conservative projection of sea level rise,numerous
County roads and portions of the County could expect to see significant flooding on a regular basis.
Sea level rise predictions were updated by the SE FL Climate Compact in December 2019. The 2019 projection,
the Compact's third Unified Regional SLR Projection,provided an update to the amount of projected sea level
rise in Southeast Florida through 2120. These projections represent a consensus from a technical Work Group,
including members from the academic community and local, state and federal agencies, and incorporates the most
up-to-date,peer-reviewed literature, and climate modeling data.
In 2021, the U.S. Army Corps,in partnership with Monroe County, completed a 3-year study for the Monroe °b
County Coastal Storm Risk Feasibility Management Study to determine what was needed to make the Keys more
resilient to storms and sea level rise. The final Plan recommendations include $2.7 Billion of infrastructure L_
adaptations,including $2.3 Billion in home elevations, $424 Million in floodproofing for critical infrastructure
and businesses, and$17.6 Million for shoreline revetments along U.S.I.Projects would be funded at 65% federal U_
and 35%non-federal. 04
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Also in 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1954,providing a coordinated approach to Florida's 04
coastal and inland resiliency. The new program enhances the State's efforts to protect inland waterways,
coastlines and shores, and is anticipated to serve as natural defenses against sea level rise. The legislation
provides investments to prepare communities for the impacts of climate change —including sea level rise,
intensified storms, and flooding.
In 2022, the County is completing a study to determine how to prepare its road infrastructure for the future. At a
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cost of$1.6 Billion,half of the County's 311 miles of County-maintained roads will need to be elevated by the
year 2045 to maintain access to homes and businesses. The Study indicates modifications to private properties
will also need to be undertaken to provide resilience from advancing seas. County officials will develop revised
policies as to which adaptation features will be allowed on those private properties. Because of the sensitive �
marine environment of the Keys, such policy discussions will not be easy.
Funding options must be developed to help fund these enormous infrastructure costs and to assist with long-term c
operations and maintenance costs.
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Other communities in Florida also recognize the risk climate change poses to their citizens,infrastructure, and c
economies. Monroe County partnered with Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties in 2010 to form the 04
Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact to coordinate climate mitigation and adaptation activities CD
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across county lines. The Compact represents a strong form of regional climate collaboration designed to allow
localities to plan for adaptation while providing an efficient means for state and federal agencies to engage with
technical assistance and support. The success of the Compact has allowed it to be replicated in other communities
in Florida and other States to help communities prepare plans for climate change.
POSITION: Monitor implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Support all opportunities to secure
funding for Monroe County's infrastructure priorities. Support the development of funding programs to assist
with the implementation of more robust resilience infrastructure and to assist with long-term operations and
maintenance costs. Monitor federal climate change legislation and executive actions. Support federal efforts to
address climate change and mitigate sea level rise. Support the federal legislative priorities of the Southeast
Florida Regional Climate Change Compact.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Army Corps of Engineers Programs—Monroe County Coastal Storm Risk Management
Study, Everglades Restoration, & Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY:
Monroe County Coastal Storm Risk Management Study (CSRM)
Monroe County has for the past several years partnered with the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) on a CSRM
feasibility study using previously-approved hurricane supplemental funding from Congress to propose storm °b
damage mitigation strategies for the County. The study received a Chief of Engineers report on September 24,
2021 and is awaiting construction authorization via the Water Resources Development Act(WRDA),which is L_
expected to be passed this year. The Monroe County authorization is in both the House and Senate versions of
WRDA. U_
The Monroe County prQj ect proposed for authorization has three main components: C
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4) Stabilization of US 1
5) Dry floodproofing of 53 critical buildings
6) Elevation and dry floodproofing of residential and nonresidential buildings
It is anticipated that stabilization of US 1 will occur first,with Planning, Engineering, and Design(PED) to be
followed by construction, should funding be provided by Congress. After that, additional PED would be required
to implement the other phases of the project.
The PED phase is cost-shared 65% - 35% and the County is working with the Florida Department of �
Transportation, the owner of US 1, to assist with the non-federal costs of PED. The federal share of the PED �
phase for the US 1 revetment is $1,040,000.
The benefit to cost ratio of the project is 1.5 to 1. Any project advanced by the Corps of Engineers must have a c
positive benefit to cost ratio. The Administration also uses the benefit to cost ratios when making annual
budgeting decisions, making this an important metric for the project.
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Everglades Restoration 04
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Florida Bay is a large shallow lagoon bordered to the north by the Florida peninsula and to the south and east by CD
the Florida Keys. A portion of the bay is located within Everglades National Park and is protected by the
National Park Service (NPS),with the remainder lying within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary,which
falls under the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. The Bay provides unique and
critical habitat for many plants and animals,including several endangered species such as the Florida Manatee.
The NPS began long-term monitoring of Florida Bay in 1988 to collect and analyze hydrologic and salinity data
from the Bay. At this same time, the Bay was suffering from tremendous (approximately 23,000 acres)of sea
grass die off from hyper saline conditions with resulting algal blooms. Salinity levels are considered the primary
driver of ecological conditions within the bay. Salinity levels are also the driver to maintain the state-established
Minimum Flow and Level(MFL) for Florida Bay, an ecosystem-based protective standard established under
Florida law.
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The construction of water control structures and facilities within the Everglades throughout the 20'century has
altered the natural hydrologic patterns of water in the region. This has reduced the flow of freshwater into Florida
Bay and changed the ecosystem. Managing these water flows to reduce the severity and frequency of
hypersalinity events and algal blooms are among the goals of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
(CERP).
There are several projects under various stages of development that are expected to improve the health of Florida
Bay. These include the Central Everglades Planning Project,the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir,
Modified Water Deliveries, Tamiami Trail reconstruction, C-I I I South Dade, and the C-I I I Spreader Canal
project, among others. °b
Recently, the biggest news for Everglades restoration is the unprecedented level of funding provided or
recommended for restoration. Specifically, the federal government has or will provide roughly $1.8 billion for G
Everglades restoration via FY 2021, 2022, and 2023 appropriations bills plus the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. U_
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Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Program 04
In 2001, Congress directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assist with implementation of infrastructure 04
improvements in the Florida Keys to improve nearshore water quality within the Sanctuary. Public Law 106-554
authorized the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvements Program (FKWQIP),whereby the Corps may provide
up to $100 million in technical and financial assistance to carry out projects for the planning, design, and
construction of treatment works to improve water quality in the Sanctuary. The primary purpose is to improve
water quality in the Florida Keys through implementation of several wastewater and stormwater master plans
previously prepared for Monroe County's municipalities. The South Florida Water Management District is the
non-federal Sponsor for FKWQIP.
Congress provided $6 million in additional funding for FKWQIP through their FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations
bill. To date, FKWQIP has received $78 million in funding from the federal government. �
Most recently, and quite notably, the House version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 includes
language increasing the authorization of FKWQIP from $100 to $200 million, thereby offering additional funding U
opportunities for the region should the provision become law.
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POSITION: Support funding for Army Corps of Engineers programs that directly support Monroe County, c
including for the Monroe County Coastal Storm Risk Management project,the Florida Keys Water Quality 04
Improvement Program, and Everglades Restoration. CD
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Natural Resource Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Protection Program
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: In 2017, Monroe County suffered through
Hurricane Irma, causing canals throughout the Florida Keys to fill with debris and sediment, along with extensive
damage to public and private property. Toxic chemicals clogged once-navigable waterways and damaged
significant ecosystems,including portions of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Through the
Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection
(EWP)Program, Monroe County was able to partner with the federal government to use $49.2 million for the
cleanup of marine debris and sediment from waterways in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma,which we matched
with $10 million of local funding.
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While the NRCS EWP program proved to be a critical resource for the County,unfortunately it only partially
solved the canal debris and sediment challenges of the Keys. Of the 422 canals submitted to NRCS for marine 04
debris removal, 175 or 41.5 percent were not approved. Meanwhile, of 34 canals that were submitted for 04
sediment removal, 21 or 67.7 percent were not approved. To summarize: 04
NRCS EWP Marine Percent Sediment Percent
Program Debris Removal
Removal
Rejected Canals 175 41.5% 21 67.7%
Approved Canals 247 58.5% 11 32.3%
Total Canals 422 100 34 100
Submitted by
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Challenges with NRCS EWP Program:
With respect to the NRCS EWP program, the County had to go through an arduous and expensive process to
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secure the funding it ultimately did for a partial cleanup of marine debris. The process for NRCS to approve or
reject individual canals took too long if the intent is to protect an area from future storm damage and flooding. 0
Even though Irma occurred in September 2017,NRCS was still approving 76 canals for debris removal in July r_
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2019, almost two years later. To secure approval,the County had to conduct side sonar scanning to calculate
exact volumetric analyses and significant flood capacity modeling, all of which were time and resource intensive 04
requirements. The EWP program has also seemingly become a flood avoidance program, essentially to avoid 04
future flooding from other storms; there is little to no consideration given to environmental concerns. Ultimately,
the EWP program only approved Monroe County canals for cleanup if hydrologic conditions were impacted by °b
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debris, thereby ignoring the environmental degradation of the debris remaining in the canals —of which there is
still too much.
Need to Improve Post-Storm Marine Debris Removal Program: Despite the federal government's clear
recognition that marine debris after a storm is a serious problem that deserves federal attention and support,none
of the programs in existence appropriately deal with debris under water. For example:
• Funding to Coast Guard programs is meant to respond to derelict vessels.
• FEMA's funding can remove marine debris,but their criteria is limited only to navigational hazards,
meaning that they will only address limited depths and will not remove all the debris present.
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• NOAA funding can address marine debris,but they have limited funding and focus on environmental
hazards. We do not believe any NOAA marine debris money was spent in the Keys after Irma.
FEMA will pay to remove all land-based debris that sits above the water line. Yet,in coastal communities
throughout the country,whose waterways are as important as roads or other public infrastructure, there is not a
similar program that is all-encompassing and thorough for marine debris. This inequity must be addressed by
Congress, either by appropriately refocusing and adjusting the NRCS EWP program or by developing a new
program to comprehensively address marine debris.
POSITION:Support changes to the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection program or develop new authorities °b
for another agency to effectively manage removal of debris in all nearshore marine environments to appropriately
respond to future disasters in the Florida Keys.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: National Flood Insurance Program
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: In 1968, Congress established the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)to address the nation's flood exposure and challenges inherent in financing and
managing flood risks in the private sector. Private insurance companies at the time claimed that the flood peril
was uninsurable and, therefore, could not be underwritten in the private insurance market. A three-prong
floodplain management and insurance program was created to identify areas across the nation most at risk of
flooding, minimize the economic impact of flooding events through floodplain management ordinances, and 0
provide flood insurance to individuals and businesses.
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In mid-2012, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act(BW12), a 5- G
year reauthorization of the NFIP that attempted to restore the program to firmer financial footing by making U_
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changes to the program that impacted the Island's residents. Then, in early 2014,the Homeowner Flood 04
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Insurance Affordability Act(HFIAA),was enacted to address some of the so-called unintended consequences of A
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BW12. While HFIAA delayed many of the premium increases implemented by BW12, the only real difference 04
between rate increases envisioned by the two bills is that HFIAA reinstated grandfathering. This provision,
originally ended by BW12, allows certain property owners to pay flood insurance rates based on original risk,not
that which is determined by new community flood maps.
Authorization of the NFIP expires on September 30, 2022. In Monroe County, there are 30,956 NFIP policies for
both homes and commercial properties.
Risk Rating 2.0
The Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) continues to implement the Risk Rating 2.0 (RR2)pricing �
methodology for the NFIP. FEMA estimates that roughly 3.8 million policyholders will pay higher premiums, U_
while 1.2 million policyholders will see rate decreases. For coastal communities like Monroe County, far higher
percentages of policy holders are seeing rate increases,not decreases. As of April 1, 2022, RR2 is in effect for all �
NFIP policyholders. Changes to premiums will take place upon the policyholder's first renewal after this date. to
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Several members of Congress and members of the Senate continue to advocate that the implementation of RR2
should be delayed and have written letters,proposed various legislation, and called on the Administration to carry 0
out the delay. 04
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Finally, House Financial Services Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA)has proposed legislation that, among other
things, would limit annual flood insurance rate increases to 9 percent, down from 18 percent allowed under as
current law. Based on statements to the media, FEMA seems supportive of this annual rate increase cap.
NFIP Floodplain Management Standards for Land Management and Use
Late last year, FEMA released a Request for Information (RFI)primarily to seek feedback on updating the NFIP's
floodplain management standards for land management and use regulations for communities that participate in the
flood insurance program. The standards have not been substantially updated since 1976.
It is not hard to imagine that the RFI may lead to dramatic changes in the NFIP. This could include increased
elevation for new construction or substantial renovation, mandate the construction of critical facilities outside of
500-year flood zones,require mapping,regulation, and mandatory purchase of flood insurance in 500-year or
1000-year flood plains, ensure climate change impacts in new flood map modeling, and lead to additional
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restriction or purchase requirements in areas of so-called residual risk. These potential changes to the NFIP are
all separate from the Risk Rating 2.0 effort that is increasing flood insurance rates nationwide for many.
Monroe County Position
Monroe County supports reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)with legislative,policy
and programmatic modifications to improve the affordability and transparency of the program through reforms in
the following areas:
• Maintain focus on affordability -provide a capped annual increase (10%)for all properties;
• Ensure rates are consistent for all properties,including second homes and businesses;
• Make the rate-setting process more transparent; CD
• Reduce commissions for Write-Your-Owns and incentivize their NFIP policy sales efforts;
• Enforce flood insurance coverage for properties in the 100-year floodplain; as
• Ensure that any increased privatization must protect affordability and consumer protections, and requires
whole profile of risk(no cherry picking); M
• Increase federal investment in flood mitigation(up to a 6:1 return on investment). CD
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Monroe County Endangered Species Considerations CD
In addition, Monroe County is home to over a dozen species that are listed by the federal government as either
being threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This led to decades long litigation by
environmental groups who challenged the issuance of flood insurance in the Keys on the basis that this insurance
encourages and subsidizes development which ultimately.]eopardizes the listed species. That litigation led to an
injunction against the issuance of flood insurance on up to 50,000 parcels of property in the county which lasted
for seven years. Amending the NFIP to prohibit the issuance of flood insurance for new development on known
or suitable habitat for listed species would protect those species, conserve the expenditure of federal resources,
and help the County reduce its exposure to property rights claims brought due to federal, state, and local
regulations that have been developed to preserve this same habitat. G
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POSITION: Support efforts to improve the National Flood Insurance Program for the benefit of all participants.
Support legislation to limit annual rate increases to no greater than 9%per year for all policyholders,thereby �
limiting the impact of the new Risk Rating 2.0 pricing methodology. Monitor FEMA's next steps regarding to
changes to the NFIP Floodplain Management Standards. Support prohibition of the issuance of flood insurance 0
for new development on properties in the Florida Keys that contain known or suitable habitat for federally-listed 0
endangered species. 2
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Coral Reef Restoration
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: The Florida Reef Tract stretches from the
Dry Tortugas in Monroe County to the St. Lucie Inlet in Martin County. It is the only barrier reef in the
continental United States and is the third largest barrier reef in the world. The Florida Reef Tract continues to
face the most serious coral disease epidemic on record globally. The disease outbreak began in 2014 near Key
Biscayne in Miami-Dade County. The disease has since spread across the Reef Tract,both north and south. To
date, almost all of the Reef Tract has been impacted. Once infected, coral colonies typically die within weeks or
months. Florida's coral reefs have traditionally attracted over 16 million visitors a year and provide over 71,000
local jobs.
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Congress passed the Coral Reef Conservation Act in 2000, which authorized appropriations to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA)for coral reef protection and management activities through 04
2004. While the authorization for the overall program expired in 2004, Congress has continued to fund the CRCP I
through the annual appropriations process. Funding for coral reel programs has remained stable,with the 04
program receiving nearly $30 million for the past several fiscal years.
Members of the Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico delegations have introduced the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act,
which would modernize and reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Generally speaking, the bills U
offer:
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• A 5-year authorization with an explicit focus on restoration activities where natural disasters and human
activities have degraded reef ecosystems;
• Directed federal funding and technical assistance so States and impacted communities can drive priorities '0
and management of coral reef ecosystems, such as a State Block Grant, and other incentives for further U_
community participation and investment through new Coral Reef Stewardship Partnerships;
• New avenues for the provision of emergency funds to ensure rapid and effective responses to coral reef �
emergencies including disease outbreaks,invasive species, coral bleaching,natural disasters,vessel to
groundings,hazardous spills, and coastal construction accidents; 0
• Overlapping federal, state, and local planning responsibilities and inducements for collaboration to 0
support improved capacity-building at the State and local levels;
• Enhanced assessment and reporting procedures to document, measure, and analyze planning, 04
management, and restoration outcomes to drive increasing efficacy in future coral reef interventions; 04
• Codifies and updates the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force previously established by Executive Order, and
provides the Secretary of the Interior with the authority to provide scientific expertise, technical E
assistance, and financial assistance for management and restoration activities.
In 2019, the Senate passed the RRRA via Unanimous Consent(requiring the approval of all 100 Senators). In
2022, the House passed the bill as part of a larger legislative package, one that is currently in conference between
the House and Senate. Monroe County has a long history of championing protections for the Florida Reef Tract
at both the state and federal level.
POSITION: Support the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act and any efforts to address coral reef restoration.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Payments In Lieu of Taxes
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: Under law, federally-owned lands within a
local government's boundary cannot be taxed,but these lands still create a demand for services,including
firefighting and police protection, construction of roads, and search-and-rescue operations. Congress has created
several programs in an attempt to compensate local governments,particularly counties, for these losses to their
tax base. One of these programs from which Monroe County benefits is the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program
(PILT). CD
Congress passed the Payments In Lieu of Taxes Act in 1976 (Public Law 94-565) to help offset the impact from
these losses to local governments' tax bases through annual compensation. The PILT program is administered by
the Department of Interior.
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Payments are made annually for tax-exempt federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, the A
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National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and for federal water projects 04
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and some military installations. The authorized level of PILT payments is calculated under a complex formula
that includes five factors affecting Monroe County's compensation: the number of acres eligible for PILT
payments,the County's population,payments in prior years from other specified federal land payment programs,
state laws directing payments to a particular government purpose, and the Consumer Price Index.
Generally, Monroe County now receives about$1.3 million annually from PILT payments. A total of 454,867 as
acres,which is roughly 19 percent of the County's land, is eligible for compensation.
POSITION: Support full, long-term mandatory funding of the Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT)program,which �
enables local governments to rely upon PILT funds when budgeting. U_
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Land Acquisition
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: The federal nexus for Monroe County's land
acquisition challenges are generally based upon two basic principles: a)rigorous preservation of the Florida Keys'
unique environmental resources,which are protected under a variety of federal laws including the Endangered
Species Act, and b)the need to protect Naval Air Station Key West,one of the military's premier air combat
training facilities,from encroachment.
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Monroe County contains several unique environmental resources of national significance. In recognition of the
value of these resources and features,the federal government has created four national wildlife refuges Crocodile L_
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Lake, Great White Heron,Key Deer, and Key West), three national parks (Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry 0
Tortugas), as well as a National Marine Sanctuary(Florida Keys) and a National Preserve (Big Cypress), all of U_
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which are located in whole or in part in Monroe County. In addition, Monroe County is also home to a worldCD
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renowned coral reef and over 30 listed species protected under the Endangered Species Act(ESA). I
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To protect these scarce yet vital natural resources, development on private property in Monroe County is heavily
controlled by federal, state, and local regulations. To see the significant impact of federal regulations on the
County's ability to regulate local development, one need to look no further than the Florida Key Deer v.the
Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) &US Fish&Wildlife Service (USFWS) suit settled in 2012
after more than 20 years of litigation. USFWS and FEMA negotiated a settlement agreement with environmental
advocates that forced the County to adopt regulations and procedures to assist the USFWS with performing its
obligations under the ESA or face expulsion from the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP). The County had
little choice but to implement procedures that essentially shifted the burden of implementation of the ESA from
the USFWS to Monroe County. '0
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That settlement agreement was predicated upon the USFWS's revised Biological Opinion(BO) on the NFIP in
Monroe County. The BO contained reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPA) that required the Florida Keys
communities to revise their Flood Damage Prevention programs to include the review of floodplain development to
applications for potential impacts to nine endangered species— a review the ESA requires FEMA and USFWS to
undertake,not local governments.
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According to the data contained in the BO, there are 63,411 acres of suitable habitat for listed species in 04
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unincorporated Monroe County. There are approximately 6,000 privately owned vacant parcels,having an 04
approximate combined value of$627 million,within USFWS designated potentially suitable habitat.While the
BO only addresses protections for nine species, twenty-two federally-listed species live in the Florida Keys and °b
critical habitat has been designated for eleven of these species. In addition, the USFWS proposes to list(and
subsequently designate critical habitat for) an additional five (5) species in the Florida Keys soon.
The limitations upon development imposed by the ESA and other federal, state, and local regulations impose
severe restrictions on private property owners who desire to develop their properties. The U.S. and Florida
Constitutions require government to compensate private property owners when those regulations result in a
taking.
The County realizes the importance of preserving and sharing the benefits of our unique natural resources, and has
conducted the reviews for FEMA and FWS,including restricting development based on this process,but federal
support is required to maintain the protection of our significant environment. The Keys supports and encourages
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the federal government to target the acquisition of lands containing suitable habitat for and known populations of
federally-designated wildlife species.
In addition to the land acquisition challenges resulting from environmental protection regulations, the County
faces challenges in the area surrounding Naval Air Station(NAS) Key West, one of the military's premier air
combat training facilities. The airfield is located just outside of Key West in the most densely populated area of
the County. The impact of encroachment from development,both past and future,in the vicinity of NAS Key
West further exacerbates the land acquisition challenges for Monroe County. While the County wants to foster
the continued use of the airfield,it must also be mindful of encroachment challenges due to property owners in 'G
the adjacent community. Acquisition of nearby properties can help solve that challenge. °b
In order to proactively address these land acquisition challenges, the County has engaged in land acquisition
efforts primarily through the Monroe County Land Authority. The Land Authority has two dedicated State- G
authorized revenue sources through which it funds land acquisition (half of the one cent tourist impact tax, and a U_
State park surcharge). Unfortunately, these sources are insufficient, given the need to purchase approximately 04
6,000 privately owned parcels of land, as they generate only about$2.6 million annually. However,in recent 04
years, the County Commission budgeted additional local funds to serve as a match for federal and state land 04
acquisition projects. Even with that additional funding, the County lacks the financial resources to meet all the C
land acquisition needs that result from federal and state environmental protection regulations as well as
encroachment issues arising near NAS Key West. Solving the County's land acquisition challenge can only be
done through a combination of federal, state, and local efforts.
Funding Opportunities
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It is possible that the Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program could help fund land
acquisition projects, as could the Department of Defense's (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection
Integration Program(KEPI). The latter funds cost-sharing partnerships for the military with state and local
governments to address incompatible development and loss of habitat around DoD installations. �
Most recently, a new partnership between federal agencies and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,
entitled the America the Beautiful Challenge, may also offer opportunities for land acquisition and conservation U
in the future.
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POSITION: Support federal funding to acquire appropriate properties to mitigate environmental resource or c
military encroachment concerns in Monroe County. 04
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Federal Aviation Administration—Key West Airport Issues
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: In 2018, Congress passed and the President
signed, a five year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The bill authorized level
funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), at$3.35 billion for each of the next five years,while also
authorizing an additional $1 billion annually for supplemental airport discretionary grants,with half prioritized for
small airports should Congress provide such funding. The bill also extended the contract tower program.
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More recently, airports have seen a$15 billion influx of capital via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for AIP and
other airport ro ects.
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Passenger Facility Charge
While passenger traffic through airport facilities continues to grow a record pace,outdated aviation infrastructure 04
continues to struggle to keep pace with demand. As airports work to modernize their infrastructure,it can be
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mechanisms: federal grants through the AIP, the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) local user fee, and tenant rents
and fees.
The PFC has been unchanged for almost 25 years and is capped at$4.50. Allowing for an increase will help
restore the PFC's lost purchasing power and provide airports with the ability to set their own levels based on
locally determined needs. Airports rely on the PFC to fund infrastructure projects and is only paid by travelers
using the airport. Allowing airports to raise the PFC to $7.50 will help spur additional airport infrastructure
development and improve the service for the flying public.
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POSITION: Support annual appropriations to match authorized amounts for the Airport Improvement Program. as
Support Monroe County's grant proposals for funding through the FAA Airport Improvement Program. Support
federal funding for sound attenuation activities around military air facilities.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Veterans Affairs Issues
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: Congress last passed significant veterans-
related legislation in mid-2018, titled the VA Mission Act. The bill primarily intends to improve the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA)healthcare system for the nation's veterans by consolidating and modernizing the VA's
community care program, establishing an Asset and Infrastructure Review process, expanding the VA's Family
Caregiver Program to pre-9/11 veterans, and increasing the VA's capacity to care for veteran patients in VA
medical facilities.
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The largest part of the law establishes a consolidated VA community care program referred to as the Veterans
Community Care Program. Under certain circumstances,veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system can
receive health care in their community rather than just from a VA facility. Furthermore, eligible veterans are U_
authorized two visits per calendar year at participating walk-in or federally qualified health care clinics. 04
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Monroe County Priorities 04
1) VA Mission Act- Community Care
a. Increase the number of non-VA health care providers in Monroe County
b. Mandate payment timeframes to non-VA health care providers
c. Prohibit billings to veterans by these medical providers
2) Compensation and Pension—non-VA medical provided services
a. Increase the number of contracted medical providers in Monroe County
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b. Implement an evaluation survey on appointment contractor companies and contracted medical
providers
3) Education Benefits (D
a. Require accredited Universities and Colleges to defer tuition, allowing veterans and active duty U_
members to start attending college immediately
b. Allow accredited Universities and Colleges to have direct access when requesting eligibility
4) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) U
a. Amend the Department of Veterans'Affairs (DVA) Act for the Transition Assistance Program
(TAP)
i. Require transitioning veterans consult with an accredited veterans service officer
ii. Add a multi-phased "civilian life"phase for veterans and their spouses 04
1. Allow veterans to re-attend TAP after separation from service CD
2. Amend the Solid Start Program requiring the DVA outreach with veterans at 90
days, 6 months, then at 1, 3, and 5 years from separation providing them data on
how to seek assistance services
5) Record Requests
a. Allow Veteran Service Officers direct access to archived military discharge documents, Q
improving document request wait times and access to benefits
6) Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay/Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act
a. Amend title 10,United States Code,permitting retired servicemembers of the Armed Forces with
service-connected disabilities rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent retirement disability
pay and to extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than
20 years of service
i. Support Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act
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POSITION: Support improvements to the VA Mission Act that will allow Monroe County veterans to fully
benefit from the law. Support additional educational benefits for our nation's veterans to allow them to attend
post-secondary schools more quickly after service concludes. Support improvements to the VA Transition
Assistance Program that will help support veterans as they transition to civilian life,including an opportunity to
reattend the program should they desire to in the future.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Oil and Gas Drilling and Oil Spill Protection
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: Active energy drilling currently occurs in
both the western and central Gulf of Mexico,while nearly the entire eastern Gulf is protected from drilling by
Presidential memorandum until 2032. In 2020,President Trump signed a memorandum withdrawing the eastern
Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast of Florida from exploration,development, or production of energy through
June, 2032.
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The federal government typically develops five-year Outer Continental Shelf(OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing
programs to guide energy exploration activities in federal waters. The Biden Administration will at some point
develop a new five-year exploration plan. Such a plan is unlikely to include significant new drilling for any OCS 0
areas other than maybe in the central and western Gulf of Mexico. U_
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Congressional Action Cq
Several bills would codify the ban on offshore energy exploration off the coast of Florida. For example, the 04
"Preserving Recreation, Oceans, Tourism, Environment and Coastal Towns (PROTECT)in Florida Act," H.R.
5707,has the support of many Florida lawmakers,including Rep. Gimenez. Meanwhile, Sen. Marco Rubio has
sponsored the "American Shores Protection Act," S. 2468,which would also mimic the Trump executive order.
Rep. Waltz introduced a companion bill, H.R. 4696,in the House. Another House bipartisan bill making the
moratorium permanent,H.R. 2836, sponsored by Reps. Kathy Castor and Vern Buchanan,was reintroduced in the
House this Congress.
Oil Spill Protection
The Oil Pollution Act(OPA)was passed by Congress and signed into law in August 1990 in response to rising '0
public concern following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill to expand the authority of the federal government to U_
prevent and respond to oil spills. The OPA created the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, from which one billion
dollars per spill is available for such activities as expediting payments for cleanup efforts,payment of claims for
uncompensated removal costs and damages, and payments to a state or local governments for increased public to
services and the net loss of government revenue. The Trust Fund is primarily funded by a 9 cents per barrel tax
on oil. Under OPA holders of leases or permits for offshore facilities are liable for all cleanup costs,plus non-
cleanup and containment damages up to $133.65 million. 2
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In addition, the Foreign Spill Protection Act,was passed into law in 2017. This amended the OPA to impose 04
penalties and provide for the recovery of removal costs and damages in connection with discharges of oil from
foreign offshore units that reach or threaten United States navigable waters. Due to Monroe County's proximity °b
to Cuba, this legislation may provide an important resource if there are any future spills in foreign waters near
Monroe's shores.
Monroe County would like to see additional changes to OPA to ensure that the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund can
address Spills of National Significance where there is not a financially viable or legally responsible party, and that
local governments may act as first responders during oil spill events.
POSITION: Oppose the potential expansion of energy exploration in Florida. Support revisions to the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 and other associated laws to ensure that local governments may act as first responders in an
effort to protect local communities and be reimbursed for their actions undertaken to protect their resources and
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restore damaged areas during oil spill events, and the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is capable of addressing Spills
of National Significance where there is not a financially viable or legally responsible parry.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Social Service Programs
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY:
Continuum of Care Program Federal Homeless Assistance
In 1987, Congress passed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as a response to the increase in
homelessness in the United States. It originally created several programs within the Department of Housing and
Urban Development(HUD) that focused on combating the root causes of homelessness. The McKinney-Vento 0
Act has been amended many times, most recently in 2009 via the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid
Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act. The HEARTH Act updated and expanded the definition of homelessness L_
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and made changes to existing programs under McKinney-Vento and created the Continuum of Care (CoC) 0
Program. M
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The CoC program provides mostly formula grant funding to local governments and non-profits. It requires A
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communities seeking funds to develop a Continuum of Care system designed to address the critical problem of 04
homelessness through a coordinated community-based process of identifying needs and building a system to
address them.
The Monroe County Continuum of Care is the lead agency designated by HUD and the State of Florida for
coordinating and planning homeless services in the Florida Keys. The CoC organizes the collaboration of local
agencies,including Monroe County Social Services and the Monroe County School District, to provide critical
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supportive services for the homeless.
In recent years, Congress provides roughly $3 billion annually for the CoC programs. '0
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Aging Issues
Created in 1965, the Older Americans Act(OAA) supports more than I I million senior Americans each year—
particularly those who are low-income—through programs that promote nutrition(e.g. Meals on Wheels), to
improve transportation options, support caregivers, offer employment and community service opportunities, and 0
prevent abuse and neglect. The law was last reauthorized in 2016.
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Last Congress, the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 was passed to reauthorize programs for FY 2020 04
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through FY 2024. It includes provisions that aim to remove barriers to the aging network increasing business 04
acumen and capacity building,provide states and localities with the flexibility of deciding the allocation of
National Family Caregiver Services between the populations served, and extends authorization of the RAISE as
Family Caregiver Act and the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act by one additional year.
Recent appropriations provided for the ACL have remained relatively stable at more than $2 billion per year.
Social Services Block Grant
The Social Services Block Grant(SSBG)is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Service's Administration for Children and Families that provides funding to the states for social services
for eligible populations. The program is permanently authorized under the Social Security Act.
States have broad discretion over how to utilize the funds,but SSBG is generally used to meet at least one of the
following goals: 1) achieving or maintaining economic self-support; 2) achieving or maintaining personal self-
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sufficiency; 3)preventing or remedying neglect; 4)preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by
providing for community-based care; and 5) securing referral or admission for institutional care when other forms
of care are not appropriate. Services may include daycare,protective services, services to persons with
disabilities, foster care, adoption, case management,health-related services, transportation, meal delivery, or any
other services found necessary by the state that meets eligible criteria.
The SSBG program has seen stable funding over the past several years,being funded at more than $1.7 billion.
POSITION: Support continued adequate annual funding the Continuum of Care homeless response program,
Older Americans Act programs that support programs serving elderly persons, and for the Social Services Block as
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Grant program, all of which support critical social services to Monroe County.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Public Safety Programs
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: Federal grant funding for many Department
of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security(DHS)programs are provided as block grants with each
state receiving a certain amount of funding, generally linked to population. That funding is then passed through
to local jurisdictions to help support police, fire, emergency management, and homeland security functions.
Examples of these formula programs include the Emergency Management Performance Grant(EMPG) and the
Byrne Justice Assistance Grant(JAG). 0
In other instances, fundingfrom federal programs is made available to local governments via competitive rant
p g g p g as
solicitations. Competitive program funds can be used to hire police officers through Community Oriented 0
Policing Services (COPS) or firefighters through Staffing for Adequate Fire &Emergency Response Grants U-
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(SAFER), and purchase equipment through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant(AFG). There is also another 04
category of grants that are distributed to certain recipients based on specific criteria, such as the Urban Area I
Security Initiative (UASI),which provides funds to eligible regions to help communities prepare for,prevent, 04
respond to, and recover from potential attacks and other hazards.
Monroe County has benefited from several of these federal programs in the past,while other programs offer
competitive grant opportunities from which the County may seek funds.
For the last several years, each of these programs have been well funded via annual appropriations bills or other as
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funding opportunities from Congress.
POSITION: Support continued funding for the wide variety of DOJ and DHS grants,i.e., Community Oriented '0
Policing Services, Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, Emergency Management Preparedness Grants, Assistance to U-
Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants,Urban Areas Security Initiative
grants, and other security-specific grants. Support any Monroe County applications for these funds.
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FEDERAL ISSUE: Naval Air Station,Key West
BACKGROUND; HOW IT MAY AFFECT MONROE COUNTY: Naval Air Station (NAS)Key West is located
on Boca Chica Key in Monroe County, Florida, 10 miles north of the City of Key West.NAS Key West has
several annexes throughout Monroe County including on Key West. The U.S.Navy's presence in Key West dates
to 1823,when a Naval Base was established to stop piracy in the area.
Naval Air Station Key West's national security mission supports operational and readiness requirements for °CD
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Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security,National Guard units, federal agencies, and allied
forces. What makes the southernmost air station attractive to the war fighter is access to unencumbered air space
and sea space,the Tactical Combat Training System (TCTS),year-round great weather, the piers/harbor, the 0
visitor quarters complex and the Gulf range complex. As such,NAS Key West is the Navy's premier East Coast U_
transient pilot training facility for tactical aviation squadrons. The airfield hosts aviation squadrons from around CD
the country on a regular basis to fulfill the mission. I
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NAS Key West encompasses more than 5,800 acres, and the Gulf water and air ranges span 134,000 square miles.
Air station facilities can support up to 100 aircraft and more than 800 personnel at one time, as well as provide
port operations for visiting ships. More than 30 tenant commands call Key West home.
These commands include:
• Joint Interagency Task Force South • VFC-111 "Sun Downers"Adversary
• Coast Guard Sector Key West Squadron
• U.S. Army Special Forces Underwater • VFA-106 "Gladiators"Detachment Key
Operations School West '0
• Naval Branch Health Clinic • U.S.Naval Research Lab U_
The air station's customers include active and Reserve fighter/strike fighter communities, Chief of Naval Air
Training (CNATRA)units, Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRSs), Fleet Forces Command units and other military
service users. 0
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Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission c
The history of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission dates to the Kennedy Administration, 04
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which began to reconfigure and consolidate military bases to better meet the threats the United States faced during 04
the Cold War. As the Cold War began to wind down and U.S. defense needs evolved, Congress passed legislation
in 1988 to create the independent Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission(BRAC). °b
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BRAC is a bipartisan group of nine individuals who are appointed by the President to analyze recommendations
of the Department of Defense and make decisions regarding base closures or reorganizations. BRAC attempts to
remove political considerations from the decision-making process. Congress ultimately must vote simply yes or
no on BRAC's entire list of recommendations. There have been five BRAC rounds in 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995
and 2005. Since the last BRAC, discussions of future rounds have been intermittent and have failed to move
forward.
While NAS Key West's unique mission and location make it an unlikely target for future elimination, the County
should remain engaged to prepare for any contingency.
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Packet Pg. 2864
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POSITION: Monitor activities related to the Department of Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
for potential impacts to NAS Key West.
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Federal Agenda: Appropriations
..."Y )23A.- propda t*2C P i ions
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THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-- R S
Federal Agenda: Corps of Engineers Projects
Monroe County Coastal St arm. Risk ManagemeD."t project
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THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-_ R S
Federal Agenda: NFIP
Congress cotild co-n its ider a long...........term.
reau,--t.l.i..o�r.l.za"t.'I.o�n. this year-, rogra.m.. expires
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end of Sept. 2 22
.1 1'8 firri�'I'Acation due Unlill tO includ(l , t II
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(2ould inijitille lhnitei III.t
Risk, ..Ra"tl'..D..g 2.0 pricing model fully
implemented.
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(" '111111yress urflikely ti�)l slb'Dp in the
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THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-_ R S
.......... .......Federal Agenda: NRCS WP
�Post hurricanel.r.rna, Monroe Counly learned. that there is.nt C,'i ..re.l..i.cable .f.edera.l .,m.a.ri�n.e debris
reni.oval program. to .h.elp after storms
Despil[eiD.Ifial rejection., Co-u.n--ty.Ad.-Ir.-.in.ini.s"tra"tor ,was ins.tru.I..I:.I.en..uf1 ]in. securii".i.g funds from the
I M NRCS .Emergency Watersb.ed.Pro Lectiori. program (awarded $49
Consis-tei:-.rt ques,hoi.,-.fing frw.n. NRCS re efigibili-ty for carlals, e-tc. over of canals rejected.)
MEkjor issues wild.i. timing/delays for approvals
175 41.5% 21 67.7%
247 58.5% 11 32.3%
422 100 34 100
Congress, nuls"Itre"focus and adjus-t the NRCS �EWP progra.m. or deve.lop a �new program "to
comprel-tat-.i.sively addressni.arine debris
(,)rIg(AIII,!2 Nvifll dcicgatio�n aridothers hrIi C!0I,I,gI,C!Ss uni tlI,IIAS
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ri rcSj,)arIsO to an c t A-) lvpoIrt., sa,lys thc ,, �urcii a SPI01,11SOr, guide b, Sept
�]hat may be Ill 111cdpfl ulll
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THORN RON I"A R f N f-- R S
Federal Ag enda: Coral Restoration
1teS t(--)r.'.'*I..ng 'Reis il ien-t Reefs
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Federal Ag enda: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
$ 1....2 trill-lon. bil tha t inclti.des two main componen-ts.
t11 "1 1111�11X" I I - C1 I It..........ICII , -ior c 311 uulIIIIIFIVE 11'. SU1-fCI 1,,"ra,1 is a.....I 'Ut t1l S C"'I
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i Illiesilie[1(1111,� Cini1 '.Io')ines tic 1 11' 'l'I' lf"( "'l 1'741,5T81 L"IbOl"I„JII'll AS
Initial Infrastructure Proposal ($2.6 trillion) vs. BIL
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THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-- R S
Federal Ag enda: BIL Programs of Interest
Bridge Investment Program. ................ $12-0; 5 years; 5 applicatioi.-.i. periods
110 or replacii,21! brilillges cdaIHI siiliiix:�,; Chat al 1 11 11 1-11001. Or, 1'I1:01- C111,]III 1 111111" t�i o[1 111)11 I111):I public road, ais
as flundivig 1,fl-(&Cts to inp-111w112 Lhic sadFdy, iclency, and t%diallifity OF the! nilinvenient of�` p�,��cwph,2 �und
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('t-eighil olvl:::�r bri(ja4m, �-y�-Op�Irauil en(,.�olurages, flie ri 1pic, projects fi rtl'ficien(.
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This is irl additi,011 Will tLIC 17,511 st�atc! fill),111,11,1[a grurit pr'4 9T*�'Fil 0111W �5 Y J7,
FE.M.A. .'Bi.ii.1d.i..ng .'.1..�esilie.n--t Infrast-.ructure & Communities (BRIC) ................ $1...B (will
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ultima,te.lybe ,5 Y E,A I, ii,1 !111 1: 1 I i 1-,1 1�(
EV Charging Competitive Grants ................ $2.5.B lication pe i( ds
, Z) years; 5 app r
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Tlhis is irl additill)rIl to the III forriniuda grarit 1,)rogranl
PROTECT Gran.L Prograin. ................ $1--4 B� 5 years, 5 app..H.cafi.on periods
hfl.er��Ied to hil rast 1'11CUIure i�n flie f[ace of sevi(�,,III'e. kv4l:,ii ill III:"I even S wnd nfliur�-fl (Usasl.ei Is,
with �un cnljfl-11��isis an llooi,Ihrig, biut� vvit]'11 011-11clr chgible uscs rcla6ng W vvilli1fire rnftigalian �ind sc11
Divided arnong 1,111)U1, [:)rqgr'rIr1S: PlanniFig i1rants x,Rcsflic�nc
)8cWN1)!, ( 'anumunily Resilie Ilcle aInd an(Lkl Risk ( loalsial
fill V'III a Illy I's
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Federal Legislative A enda Review
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Represe.nt 4 0 F Public sec C 1.
11'41
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THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-- R S
Recent Successes for Monroe Count
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A.Ppropniati.ons earmarks i*..n. '.FY 2022'.
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A.U,thoriza tions via Water .Resatirces Deve-lo. men t ..Act
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THORN RON I"A R f N f-- R S
Additional Success : Higg s Beach
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Federal Agenda: Corps of Engineers Projects
Monroe County Coastal St arm. Risk ManagemeD."t project
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Everglades Resto.T."'a hion,
u'r Fil
S- I,t I ill,'C�111: I,I I pf'III")lrj`("Ss L I ile IIII aSt fi)L1 I"years
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THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-_ R S
Federal Agenda: NFIP
Congress cotild co-nisider a long...........term.
reau,--t.l.i..o�r.l.za"t.'I.o�n. this year-, rogram.. expires
P
end of Sept. 2022
Unlike])7 10 [11C111' (1(l 'I j"!jtjI I I i rri�i I a tion d Ue
3 SGoa 1, o ILT 1ti �[j
Ic I[l ' e ',- �a('12ould inil-1htille lhniteii�.t prilovislons
i at' ful R'sk R 1..D..g 2.0 pricing m.Odel ly
implemented.
P��'*Jlce Increll,lise", (::::K iiieiI ill,tel ct f"I "O" 1,11('111"N",
11
-ess urflikely ti�)l 41,lti�)p irnplernent, Lion ill the
o'w ffl��
............
(.�Yngt ess II'nae h111,11111e],N, tiID III, In Risk P a ft'llig Z.0
a roni ii�lxmstituei its with
111,
h1SU1f',11mci1,%, increase
I III I� III
THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-_ R S
.......... .......Federal Agenda: NRCS WP
�Post hurricanel.r.rna, Monroe Counly learned. that there is.nt C,'i ..re.l..i.cable .f.edera.l .,m.a.ri�n.e debris
reni.oval program. to .h.elp after storms
Despil[eiD.Ifial rejection., Co-u.n--ty.Ad.-Ir.-.in.ini.s"tra"tor ,was ins.tru.I..I:.I.en..uf1 ]in. securii".i.g funds from the
I M NRCS .Emergency Watersb.ed.Pro Lectiori. program (awarded $49
Consis-tei:-.rt ques,hoi.,-.fing frw.n. NRCS re efigibili-ty for carlals, e-tc. over of canals rejected.)
MEkjor issues wild.i. timing/delays for approvals
175 41.5% 21 67.7%
247 58.5% 11 32.3%
422 100 34 100
Congress, nuls"Itre"focus and adjus-t the NRCS �EWP progra.m. or deve.lop a �new program "to
comprel-tat-.i.sively addressni.arine debris
(,)rIg(AIII,!2 Nvifll dcicgatio�n aridothers hrIi C!0I,I,gI,C!Ss uni tlI,IIAS
, 'I \1,, ,IQ 11 , V
ri rcSj,)arIsO to an c t A-) lvpoIrt., sa,lys thc ,, �urcii a SPI01,11SOr, guide b, Sept
�]hat may be Ill 111cdpfl ulll
................
114
life,
THORN RON I"A R f N f-_ R S
Federal Ag enda: Coral Restoration
1teS t(--)r.'.'*I..ng 'Reis il ien:t Reefs
Ac t
W(II Vlp ,III:!)Up[ o tedb., r die ent 'll",
d le i, t Yri,
i i w11111i 1il 11 2s esed SZo 1 020
1ouVIIIIIIVuu111111�lei I y i d le i i t c I
pa,ssed Hot i s el th i IS I
c
�1 CA to "I S S 111 111 L1111-1 11,
this 11)(111111, '0 ,1111141 111 "1 "11 1 1, 11'_5 ci 11 1 rr,7 i,n'',ei i, le
pill"R S ..................... y
ei�161u*s
Jr
THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-- R S
Federal Ag enda: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
$ 1....2 trill-lon. bil tha t inclti.des two main componen-ts.
t11 "1 1111�11X" I I - C1 I It..........ICII , -ior c 311 uulIIIIIFIVE 11'. SU1-fCI 1,,"ra,1 is a.....I 'Ut t1l S C"'I
Ill, I t
a tes U( t le S 'it'll I 11114� (I
IIII111 7IIII
IIII a f�l 11 � ,qq 0l) 1�31 In addi i i il�") i-i 111-i r�l 11,11111
k , , , "IS 'I'll"L cl tu n. n''wes
1111� N7 III To
$ ,���' I�, O ,B er vell bU
Alfi)rei I It 11111-1 hCa I f,of th 4,1 t is fiX. t 1-C-1 I S-11D q1), 1"Itill 111 1-1)[1
fih9 , b I I- I
")I c 1 n ie r�arl IxNvy,
r i o a 111II 1111111 12%1 fort'na tional Is origi rt 11111 d1v� 1,�� I
U113 13 not the '11ARIJR-1111%, Minlulus bill
Jfr%,'),r olut c�,ril vJ j ol 1J,,�'ITU,('"tf J,,J,-r,
AdIIII i I is Lriil 0(3M I IIIPlrio r'I' ti t II 1,01, 13, L111: 1'1q ud en�J rouI I n n Ill.ial."111 a s ti ce cl i r i 41i te II I:
i Illiesilie[1(1111,� Cini1 '.Io')ines tic 1 11' 'l'I' lf"( "'l 1'741,5T81 L"IbOl"I„JII'll AS
Initial Infrastructure Proposal ($2.6 trillion) vs. BIL
.. . . .......................,Orignis pyaposal
P i I,+;n+i,�ob�q"s 1 s+Ci9re�rn92t+Ic4swr
In urcvo-w�usar .emu MR +wins,a,mza".F`�wnJdNOf*)J,O*YW(,psi ill,u i"N .,,,vrm,
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piulbic uo"m I�yevrr5 r+mt'r�.k wsrl¢!tr�,u,,u_;
M y� - v '�^u¢I�wG2.l,rt9W'Mu4Yd. w, M� i�x,Ytl'4r,V!wWUM4r+l'rNwi,'➢.
,9 $?�� IL~I��chV�:�u�iddi�„I��, St,r S, V":IY�a`&r1� „Wd,441ois till
$157 1,n,,
IIY,S'n,.PEA m. Inphr n7 Wtw,tt a"I;gfl xwC,"n�rV.t}',:.
<' 1' w;6r G4 rer°@rIa 1�F�s 'p..
Own enerM(lax c,,redTitls
Clean energy�ax credfts
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NBmAwd Chi
�/ iome-and rommui*y-f�awwd care $66
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THORN RON I,"A R T' N f-- R S
Federal Ag enda: BIL Programs of Interest
Bridge Investment Program. ................ $12-0; 5 years; 5 applicatioi.-.i. periods
110 or replacii,21! brilillges cdaIHI siiliiix:�,; Chat al 1 11 11 1-11001. Or, 1'I1:01- C111,]III 1 111111" t�i o[1 111)11 I111):I public road, ais
as flundivig 1,fl-(&Cts to inp-111w112 Lhic sadFdy, iclency, and t%diallifity OF the! nilinvenient of�` p�,��cwph,2 �und
, I Y.
('t-eighil olvl:::�r bri(ja4m, �-y�-Op�Irauil en(,.�olurages, flie ri 1pic, projects fi rtl'ficien(.
S Z:N. 7 C�
This is irl additi,011 Will tLIC 17,511 st�atc! fill),111,11,1[a grurit pr'4 9T*�'Fil 0111W �5 Y J7,
FE.M.A. .'Bi.ii.1d.i..ng .'.1..�esilie.n--t Infrast-.ructure & Communities (BRIC) ................ $1...B (will
I , 1 la�L i � IS
ultima,te.lybe ,5 Y E,A I, ii,1 !111 1: 1 I i 1-,1 1�(
EV Charging Competitive Grants ................ $2.5.B lication pe i( ds
, Z) years; 5 app r
I.
II
Tlhis is irl additill)rIl to the III forriniuda grarit 1,)rogranl
PROTECT Gran.L Prograin. ................ $1--4 B� 5 years, 5 app..H.cafi.on periods
hfl.er��Ied to hil rast 1'11CUIure i�n flie f[ace of sevi(�,,III'e. kv4l:,ii ill III:"I even S wnd nfliur�-fl (Usasl.ei Is,
with �un cnljfl-11��isis an llooi,Ihrig, biut� vvit]'11 011-11clr chgible uscs rcla6ng W vvilli1fire rnftigalian �ind sc11
Divided arnong 1,111)U1, [:)rqgr'rIr1S: PlanniFig i1rants x,Rcsflic�nc
)8cWN1)!, ( 'anumunily Resilie Ilcle aInd an(Lkl Risk ( loalsial
fill V'III a Illy I's
Q]'I w,ftjj�(, ul a grant prograluI.
l
'HIS Is ill ildditilim t�o tfilcl
114
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