DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE REQUEST FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS FY 2017-2018
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 2017-2018. 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 as long as an eligible local government is a partner in the project. Applications must be submitted on the CPI APPLICATION FORM, available from the FCMP website at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/cmp/grants/index.htm .
Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday October 31, 2016. Mail CPI applications in accordance with the requirements below to: Florida Coastal Management Program, ATTN: CPI Applications - (Toni R. Clanton), Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Coastal Office: 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000. Electronic and faxed grant applications will not be accepted.
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. Chapter 62S-4, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) describes the priority areas and includes information on the CPI grant program, CPI Application Form, submittal requirements, and the criteria by which applications are scored and ranked. The CPI Application Form and a copy of 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 below important details regarding the CPI grant process for FY 2017-2018. Additional information, including requirements & restrictions, are set forth in chapter 62S-4, F.A.C.
1. Applicants must submit one originally signed application, four copies of the application, and one copy of the application on CD or DVD.
2. Projects must be completed within one year between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. Selected projects will be included in the FCMP application to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for fiscal year 2017-18.
3. PLEASE NOTE: Due to current budget restraints, the FCMP will be unable to grant the maximum award under Rule 62S-4.004, F.A.C. Applicants can expect the maximum award to be no more than $15,000 for planning, design and coordination activities and $30,000 for construction projects, habitat restoration, invasive exotic plant removal, and land acquisition.
4. 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. No more than one-half (50%) of match can be provided by a third party.
5. There are additional requirements for applications involving construction, invasive exotic plant removal, habitat restoration, and land acquisition, including:
a. In order to show the project is feasible and able to be completed within one year, 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 that there are no environmental concerns that would delay or prevent project start-up. Summary of the consultation must be included in the CPI application or the project will be found to be infeasible to be completed within one year.
b. Applicants should submit a completed and signed “306a checklist” with the application. The checklist may be obtained at: http://coast.noaa.gov/czm/media/checklist306a.pdf
c. Non-profit 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.
d. Pursuant to NOAA’s direction, shoreline hardening projects are not eligible for FCMP funds.
e. Infrastructure projects must have a clear coastal management component.
f. 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.
For questions or to request a copy of Chapter 62S-4, F.A.C., or the CPI Application, please contact: Ms. Toni R. Clanton at the address above, call (850)245-2184 or email: Toni.R.Clanton@dep.state.fl.us.
