1. (1) Until the unsatisfied demand for restoring and repairing Florida’s beaches is met, the Department intends to share in the costs of beach management projects with local sponsors. Cost sharing will only be applied to the portion of the project necessary to benefit shoreline designated by the Department as critically eroded. The Department shall cost share up to 50 percent of the total costs for non-federal beach management projects. The Department shall cost share up to 50 percent of the non-federal share of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works projects. The Department shall cost share up to 50 percent of the non-federal and state emergency fund share for projects approved to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance funding (Category G or equivalent subsequent program for designed, constructed and routinely maintained beaches). State cost share is subject to adjustment for the level of public accessibility calculated for beach management projects. Project shoreline lengths eligible for cost sharing are quantified at the rate of 100 units of eligibility per mile (5,280 feet) or 52.8 feet per unit. A unit is defined as one automobile parking space, one rental unit in a Public Lodging Establishment, one mass transit stop, or 4 bicycle parking spots. Eligible shoreline lengths are calculated using the following criteria:

   1. (a) Primary beach access sites shall be granted eligibility for the shoreline length of the access site. Additional eligibility shall be granted at a rate of 52.8 linear feet per unit for one-half mile in each shore parallel direction for the following units;

      1. Automobile parking spaces located within one quarter mile of a primary access site may be granted eligibility for that public access site at the rate of one unit, or 52.8 feet, per parking space.

      2. Bicycle parking located within one quarter mile of a primary access site may be granted eligibility at the rate of one-quarter of a unit, or 13.2 feet, per designated bicycle parking spot. Bicycle parking spots used for eligibility may not exceed 211.2 feet per public access site.

      3. Mass transit, such as buses or trolleys, may be granted eligibility at the rate of one unit, or 52.8 feet, per bus stop located within one quarter mile of the public access site. Bus stops used for eligibility may not exceed 211.2 feet per public access. In order to qualify, mass transit must be accessible to the general public and operational year round.

   2. (b) Beachfront public lodging establishments shall be granted eligibility based upon 52.8 feet of shoreline eligibility per unit available to the public. Maximum eligibility may not exceed the beach front width of the property.

   3. (c) Secondary beach access sites shall be granted eligibility for the shoreline length of the access site. Additional eligibility shall be granted at a rate of 52.8 linear feet per unit for up to one-quarter mile in either shore parallel direction, for the following units:

      1. Public lodging establishments not located on the beach front but located within one quarter mile of a secondary public access point may contribute to the eligibility for that public access site at the rate of 52.8 feet of shoreline eligibility per rental unit available to the public. Maximum eligibility may not exceed the street-side frontal width of the property.

      2. Bicycle parking located within one quarter mile of a secondary access site may be granted eligibility at the rate of 13.2 feet per designated bicycle parking spot. Bicycle parking spots used for eligibility may not exceed 211.2 feet per public access site.

      3. Mass transit, such as buses or trolleys, may be granted eligibility for that public access site at the rate of one unit, or 52.8 feet, per bus stop located within one quarter mile of the public access site. Bus stops used for eligibility may not exceed 211.2 feet per public access. In order to qualify, mass transit must be accessible to the general public and operational year round.

      4. Automobile parking spaces located within one quarter mile of a secondary access site may be granted eligibility for that public access site at the rate of one unit, or 52.8 feet, per parking space.

   4. (d) Eligible shoreline lengths cannot overlap.
   5. (e) The sum of the eligible shoreline lengths, as defined above, is divided by the total project length to determine the percentage of the total project that is eligible for cost sharing.
   6. (f) The Department shall pay up to 100 percent of the costs of approved beach management projects when construction and maintenance are on lands with public beach access of which the state is the upland riparian owner and such lands are managed by the state.
2. (2) For inlet management projects, the Department shall cost-share 75 percent of the non-federal cost with the local sponsor for eligible components, pursuant to Section 161.143(3), F.S.
3. (3) Cost savings which occur due to the planned geographic coordination or sequencing of two or more projects between local sponsors, may qualify for additional reimbursement. Geographic sequencing means combining two projects together for the purpose of contracting. In order to determine the increase in the state’s cost share the projects shall demonstrate the cost savings of combining the projects and request reimbursement for the demonstrated cost savings following completion of the project phase. The cost share shall be adjusted not to exceed the state’s maximum cost share amount of 75 percent of the eligible costs.
4. (4) All costs of physical and biological monitoring required by state and federal permits are eligible for cost sharing.
5. (5) A local sponsor may voluntarily agree at any time that an appropriation cannot be used and provide the Department with written agreement that such funds shall be available for reallocation.
6. (6) The Department will cost share for private contractual services necessary to conduct the project. Services may be contracted to a local sponsor if the Department is shown evidence that the local sponsor’s proposal is cost effective, of sufficient professional quality, and otherwise in the general public interest. In determining whether contractual services are cost effective, the Department shall consider cost estimates provided by the local sponsor from fully qualified private companies or individuals. Specific contractual services performed by or for local governments shall be subject to specific accountability measures and audit requirements and be consistent with the principles of Chapter 287, F.S., for competitive bidding and opportunity.

Rulemaking Authority 161.101(21), 161.143(6), 161.161(7) FS. Law Implemented 161.088, 161.091(1), 161.101(1), (2), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), 161.142(1), (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), 161.143(1)-(5), 161.161(1), (2), (6) FS. History–New 6-10-83, Formerly 16B-36.07, Amended 4-27-86, Formerly 16B-36.007, Amended 12-25-03, 8-5-13.