DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Coastal Partnership Initiative Request for Grant Applications
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Coastal Partnership Initiative Request for Applications FY 2020-21
The Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) announces the availability of federal funds for innovative coastal projects under its COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE (CPI) for fiscal year 2020-21.
Eligible applicants include Florida’s 35 coastal counties and the local governments within their boundaries that are required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive plan. Florida public colleges and universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs and nonprofit groups may also apply for CPI funds if an eligible local government is a partner in the project.
The purpose of the Coastal Partnership Initiative is to promote the protection and effective management of Florida’s coastal resources in four priority areas: RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, COASTAL RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP, ACCESS TO COASTAL RESOURCES and WORKING WATERFRONTS.
1. Rule Sections 62S-4.004 and .007, F.A.C, describe the procedures for submitting applications and the criteria by which applications will be evaluated. The CPI Application Form and a copy of Chapter 62S-4, F.A.C., are available on the FCMP grants website at https://floridadep.gov/rcp/fcmp/content/grants.
2. Please note the following important information regarding the CPI grant process for FY 2020-21.1. Applications must be received by the Department no later than 4:00 p.m. (EST), October 1, 2019. Applicants must email application and all required attachments to FCMPMail@FloridaDEP.gov or mail to the address below.
Florida Coastal Management Program, ATTN: CPI Application, Department of Environmental Protection, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-30002
3. Projects must be completed within 18 months between July 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2021. Selected projects will be included in the FCMP application to the National Oceanic &Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for fiscal year 2020-21.3. Maximum award of $30,000 for planning, design and coordination activities and up to $75,000 for construction projects, habitat restoration, invasive exotic plant removal and land acquisition. Minimum CPI award is $10,000.
4.Recipients are required to provide 100% matching contributions (cash or in-kind) in the form of goods and services that directly benefit the specific grant project. No more than 50% of match can be provided by a third party and none from federal funds.
5.There are additional requirements for applications involving construction, invasive exotic plant removal, habitat restoration and land acquisition, including:
a. To show the project is feasible and able to be completed within 18 months, applicants proposing construction, invasive exotic plant removal and habitat restoration must conduct a preliminary consultation with appropriate local, state and federal regulatory agencies to ensure there are no environmental concerns that would delay or prevent project startup. A summary of the consultation along with the 306A checklist must be included in the CPI application to be considered responsive.
b. Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are not eligible to receive funds for construction, habitat restoration, invasive exotic plant removal, or land acquisition. Applications submitted by NPOs that propose these activities will be disqualified.
c. Pursuant to NOAA’s direction, Section 306A funds shall not be used for beach restoration, beach nourishment or projects that are predominantly hard structure erosion control.
d. Infrastructure projects must have a clear coastal management component.
e. Construction and land acquisition activities occurring in designated Coastal Barrier Resource Act units are subject to additional review and approval by NOAA and/or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
WEBINAR: FCMP staff has scheduled a webinar to provide technical assistance to potential grant applicants. This webinar is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 2 p.m. (ET)
Dial: 1(888)585-9008, Participant: # 661-149-837
For questions or more information, please contact Mrs. Tiffany Herrin at (850)245-2953, or visit the FCMP website at https://floridadep.gov/rcp/fcmp/content/grants.
