Through the Coastal Partnership Initiative, the Florida Coastal
Management Program makes funds available to local governments in the 35 coastal
counties and all municipalities within their boundaries that are required to
include a coastal element in their comprehensive plan; national estuary programs
(NEP), and national estuarine research reserves (NERR) for projects and
activities that protect and enhance natural and cultural resources. Public and
private colleges, universities, regional planning councils and nonprofit groups
may also apply if an eligible local government, NERR or NEP agrees to
participate as a partner.
For more detailed information on previously funded
projects click Grant Abstracts.
Table of
Contents
Program Description
Eligible Applicants
Matching Requirements
Funding Cycle
Source of Funds
How are applications reviewed?
What are the selection criteria?
What are the elements of a strong proposal?
What will cause an application to be dropped from consideration?
More Grant Sources
Contact Information
Program
Description
The Coastal Partnership Initiative intends to inspire community
action and promote the protection and effective management of Florida’s
coastal resources in four specific categories:
- Remarkable Coastal Places: Communities may conduct
activities related to designating and protecting places with exceptional
cultural, historic and ecologic value, for example: developing
acquisition plans, conservation plans, and long-term management plans;
implementing restoration plans; creating environmental awareness
publications, displays and campaigns.
- Community Stewardship: Typical stewardship projects include
small-scale, community-based activities that involve citizens and
volunteers in the field, from monitoring and wetland restoration to
educational field trips and waterfronts cleanups.
- Access to Coastal Resources: Communities are encouraged to
accommodate public access to coastal and marine resources while
protecting fragile and overused environments. Access projects could
include: developing plans for land acquisition, restoration and
management; developing site plans for nature trails; developing
recreational surface water use policies; exotic species removal and
restoration of native species; and small-scale capital improvements such
as dune walkovers, boardwalks, and canoe launches.
- Working Waterfronts: Waterfront communities may wish to
revitalize, renew and promote interest in their waterfront districts.
Some examples of projects include: developing and implementing a vision
plan for a waterfront district; developing architectural standards for
waterfront areas; and small construction projects such as a boardwalk,
observation platform, welcome center or information kiosk.
Financial awards are limited to no more than $50,000 and no less than
$15,000. Applications are accepted once a year in response to a Notice
of Availability of Funds published in the August-September time frame.
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Eligible
Applicants
Local governments in the 35 coastal counties and all municipalities within their
boundaries that are required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive
plan; national estuary programs (NEP), and national estuarine research reserves
(NERR). Public and private colleges, universities, regional planning councils
and nonprofit groups may also apply if an eligible local government, NERR or NEP
agrees to participate as a partner. Partnerships between regional and local
agencies and non-profit organizations are encouraged.
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Matching
Requirements
Grant recipients will be required to provide 100% (1 to 1) matching funding, which may be cash or in-kind. Match may include cash, the salaries of employees, the value of work time of volunteers, or the value of construction materials. Federal funds from any source may not be used as match for any financial assistance from the Coastal Partnership Initiative.
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Funding
Cycle
The funding year will begin July 1 and end June 30. Projects
must be of one year duration and deliver work products at the end of the project
year. Projects may have statewide, regional, or local application.
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Source
of Funds
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
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How are applications reviewed?
Each proposal will be reviewed by a technical evaluation
committee of at least five members with knowledge about coastal resource
management. Each of the proposals will be evaluated using the general criteria
listed below. The evaluation committee will rank proposals within each category
based on total point scores. The highest rated projects in each category which
also score ABOVE a minimum of 50 points will be recommended for funding by the
evaluation committee, with funding subject to the availability of funds. All of
the information required in the proposal application is listed in
Chapter 62S-4, FAC.[PDF - 661 KB]
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What are the selection criteria?
- Project geographic area is easily identified and is appropriate for the
proposed solution.
- Project components are clearly described.
- Project is an appropriate solution for the demonstrated need.
- Applicant and partner roles have been adequately identified.
- Proposed solution is innovative and could be used by another group or
locale facing similar circumstances.
- Project meets the goal of the initiative category.
- Applicant and partners (if any) can effectively and efficiently complete
the project within one year.
- There is community support for the project.
- Project will support specific goals and objectives of the local
comprehensive plan.
- Project builds on participation in any of the following programs: Local
Mitigation Strategy, Florida Forever, Waterfronts Florida, Front Porch
Florida, Designated Waterbodies, SWIM Program, Florida Springs, Florida State
Park System, Gulf Ecological Management Site.
Specific Initiative Category Criteria:
For Remarkable Coastal Places
- Project site is critical to the unique diversity of Florida and has
distinctive natural, cultural, historical, educational, recreational, or
scientific features.
- Project site has demonstrated significant value to the community,
including economic, cultural, historical, or ecological values.
For Community Stewardship
- Proposed solution includes clearly identified community involvement.
- Proposed solution includes physical projects or activities on site that
will result in improved pollution control or strengthen stewardship of coastal
resources.
For Access to Coastal Resources
- For physical access – Project is proximate to adequate parking or public
transportation.
- For physical access – Project provides access to an area not currently
accessible with negligible disturbance to the coastal ecosystem.
For Working Waterfronts
- Proposed solution will assist applicant in accomplishing a waterfront
revitalization project, preparing for designation as a “Waterfronts Florida”
community, or assisting a designated “Waterfronts Florida” community to
implement specific projects.
- Project seeks to balance resource protection and water-dependent economic
development.
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What are elements of a strong
proposal?
In general, reviewers will be looking
for proposals that have the following characteristics:
- There is a demonstrated need for the project.
- The proposal ensures or promotes a benefit to coastal resource protection
or enhancement.
- The proposal is technically sound in terms of design and
cost-effectiveness;
- The budget request for the work proposed is appropriate;
- The work can reasonably be expected to be completed within 12 months;
- The project can be directly implemented upon completion;
- The applicant has the ability to manage and implement the proposal, carry
out the tasks, and deliver the products (to the extent the review team can
comment based upon available information and personal knowledge and
experience);
- The proposal may serve as a model for other agencies and/or other local
governments.
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What will cause an application to
be dropped from consideration?
An application will not be considered if it does any of the following:
- does not include a signed and completed title page;
- does not show a demonstrated need for project;
- does not ensure or promote a benefit to coastal resource protection or
enhancement.
- proposes to use these funds to supplant state or local funds;
- proposes to use federal funds applied for or received from another source
as matching funds for this application;
- was not received on or before the application deadline;
- Title page was not signed according to the instructions;
- the applicant is a local government whose adopted comprehensive plan has
not been found in compliance with Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes;
- proposes a project which cannot be completed within one year, will require
additional funding to implement or cannot be implemented upon completion for
any reason.
- If construction is proposed, the applicant did not conduct a preliminary
consultation with appropriate local, state, regional and federal regulatory
agencies regarding the proposed construction project, and did not include a
summary of the required consultation on the title page.
- If the property on which construction activities will take place is not
owned or leased by the applicant or if the applicant does not hold a
sufficient easement.
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More
Grant Sources
Florida Resource
Directory
Grants.Gov
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For more
information on Florida Coastal Management Program Grants
Contact:
Dornecia Allen
Florida Coastal Management Program
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 47
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000
Phone: (850) 245-2161
Fax: (850) 245-2191
E-mail:
Dornecia.Allen@dep.state.fl.us
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