**** FIRST NOTICE ****

REQUEST FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS

RESEARCH AND RESTORATION PARTNERS GRANT PROGRAM – FISCAL YEAR 2008

“Research and Restoration Partners Grant” project proposals must be received by the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, 1926 Victoria Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida 33901, by 5:00 p.m. (local time), Friday, October 26, 2007. “Research and Restoration Partners Grant” project proposals are required to demonstrate a minimum of 50% matching funds from the applicant. The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (NEP) reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Final funding decisions will be made in Spring 2008, and the NEP will not reimburse for project costs prior to contract execution.

OBJECTIVE: The Charlotte Harbor NEP is considering innovative research and restoration project proposals for fiscal year 2008 (October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008). Projects must have long-term applicability, transferability and serve as models for addressing NEP priority actions, such as water quality, hydrologic and habitat restoration. The following are examples of projects that the program will consider:

•       Restoration of the hydrologic and natural habitat conditions of the study area by such methods as the backfilling of ditches, removal of spoil piles, exotic species removal, planting of native vegetation, mangrove restoration, etc.;

•       Reduce contaminants from marina and dock operations;

•       Reduce non-point source pollutants associated with stormwater runoff; and

•       Identify and map oyster bars to improve fish/ shellfish resource protection.

Projects must advance program objectives and address program priority problems as described in the proposal instructions. All restoration projects must develop and implement a post restoration management plan. Data collection efforts may have to obtain a federally-approved Quality Assurance Project Plan.

INVITATION TO PROPOSE: The program hereby solicits proposals for “Research and Restoration Partners Grant” projects. These grants are for proposal requests for the management conference’s guideline of $20,000 per financially supporting partner. Project proposals are required to demonstrate a minimum of 50% in-kind or cash match from the applicant. Any organization or individual can submit a proposal. You or your organization may submit more than one proposal, but each proposal must be submitted separately and must follow the proposal instructions and requirements. The project must be located within the program’s study area. The program strongly recommends applicants to attend a “Question-and-Answer” session on December 7, 2007.

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION: All requests for information, instructions, and applications for submitting an application must be directed to Ms. Catherine Corbett at (239)338-2556, ext. 241, email: ccorbett@swfr pc.org.

HOW TO APPLY: The document “Requests for Research and Restoration Partners Proposals” may be obtained by contacting Ms. Catherine Corbett, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program at (239)338-2556, ext 241, email: ccorbett@swfr pc.org or from the program website at www.chnep.org. The Charlotte Harbor NEP will receive project proposals for “Research and Restoration Partners” grants until 5:00 p.m. (local time), Friday, October 26, 2007.