Department of Environmental Protection, Office of the Secretary

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Office of the Secretary

Coastal Partnership Initiative, Request for Applications, FY 10-11

The Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) announces the availability of federal grant funds for innovative coastal projects under its Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI) for fiscal year 2010-2011. Eligible applicants include local governments within the 35 coastal counties that are required to include a coastal element in their local comprehensive plans, national estuarine research reserves (NERRs), and national estuary programs (NEPs). Colleges, universities, regional planning councils and nonprofit groups may also apply for CPI funds, as long as an eligible local government, NERR, or NEP is a partner in the project. Applications must be submitted on the new CPI Application Form, available from the FCMP website at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/cmp/grants/files/cpi_app_chklist.doc.

Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. (EDT), October 28, 2009, and should be mailed to:

Florida Coastal Management Program

Department of Environmental Protection

3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 47

Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000.

Electronic and faxed applications will not be accepted. Selected projects will be included in the FCMP application to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for fiscal year 2010-11, which begins July 1, 2010, and ends June 30, 2011.

The purpose of the COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE is to inspire community action and promote the protection and effective management of Florida’s coastal resources in four specific categories: RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, COASTAL RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP, ACCESS TO COASTAL RESOURCES and WORKING WATERFRONTS. These categories are described in Chapter 62S-4, F.A.C., along with other information about the CPI grant program, including the new application form, submittal requirements, and the criteria by which applications will be scored and ranked. The CPI Application Form and Chapter 62S-4, F.A.C., are available from the FCMP grants website at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/cmp/grants/index.htm.

Please note the following important details regarding the CPI grant process for FY 2010-11:

1.     Applicants must submit one application with original signatures and 12 copies of the application to the FCMP.

2.     Financial assistance is available as reimbursement grants ranging from $20,000 to a maximum of $60,000.

3.     Recipients are required to provide 100 percent matching contributions (cash or in-kind) in the form of goods and services that directly benefit the specific grant project.

4.     There are additional requirements for applications involving construction, exotic species removal, habitat restoration, and land acquisition, including:

        a. The application must include a complete and signed 306A Checklist, which is appended to the CPI Application Form and may be downloaded as a separate file at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/cmp/grants/files/306a-chklist.doc.

        b. Applicants proposing construction, exotic species removal or habitat restoration must conduct a preliminary consultation with appropriate local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. A summary of the consultation must be included in the CPI application, or the application will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

        c. Non-profit organizations (NPOs) are not eligible to receive FCMP funds for construction, exotic species removal or habitat restoration. An application submitted by a NPO that includes any of those activities as part of the applicant’s match requirement will not be considered or processed.

        d. Shoreline hardening projects are not eligible for FCMP funds.

        e. Projects must be small-scale in scope.

        f. Infrastructure projects should have a clear coastal management component.

        g. Construction or 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 and Wildlife Service.

For questions or to request a copy of Chapter 62S-4, F.A.C., or the CPI Application Form, please contact: Ms. Dornecia Allen, Florida Coastal Management Program, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 47, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000, [phone] or email: [e-mail].