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 2011-2012. Eligible applicants include local governments within the 35 coastal counties that are required to include a coastal element in their local comprehensive plans. 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 revised 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. (EDT), November 10, 2010, and should be mailed to:
Florida Coastal Management Program
ATTN: CPI Applications
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 2011-12, which begins July 1, 2011, and ends June 30, 2012.
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. These priority areas are described in Chapter 62S-4, F.A.C., along with other information about the CPI grant program, including the CPI 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 2011-2012:
1. Applicants must submit one originally signed application, four (4) copies of the application, and one copy of the application on CD or DVD.
2. Financial assistance is available as reimbursement grants, specifically:
a. No more than $60,000 and no less than $10,000 for construction projects, habitat restoration, invasive exotic plant removal, and land acquisition; and
b. No more than $30,000 and no less than $10,000 for planning, design and coordination activities.
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. No more than one-half (50%) of match can be provided by a third party.
4. There are additional requirements for applications involving construction, invasive exotic plant removal, habitat restoration, and land acquisition, including:
a. Applicants proposing construction, invasive exotic plant removal and 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.
b. Non-profit organizations (NPO) are not eligible to receive FCMP funds for construction, invasive exotic plant removal, habitat restoration or land acquisition. Applications submitted by NPOs that propose these activities will be disqualified.
c. Shoreline hardening projects are not eligible for FCMP funds.
d. Projects must be small-scale in scope.
e. Infrastructure projects should 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 Form, please contact: Ms. Dornecia Allen at the Florida Coastal Management Program, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS #47, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000, (850)245-2161, email: Dornecia.Allen@dep.state.fl.us.