COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, FY 08-09

The Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) announces the availability of funds for innovative coastal projects under its Coastal Partnership Initiative in fiscal year 2008-2009. Eligible applicants include local governments within the 35 coastal counties that are required to include a coastal element in the local comprehensive plan, national estuarine research reserves (NERR), and national estuary programs (NEP). Eligible applicants also include public and private colleges, universities, regional planning councils and nonprofit groups, as long as an eligible local government, NERR, or NEP agrees to participate as a partner in the application and project.

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: WORKING WATERFRONTS, ACCESS TO COASTAL RESOURCES, REMARKABLE COASTAL PLACES AND COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP. Further information about the COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE grant program, including description of the four specific categories; the required information to be included in the application; the format in which it is to be submitted; application submittal procedures; and the criteria and procedures by which applications will be evaluated and ranked, is available in Chapter 62S-4, Florida Administrative Code, which can be viewed at or printed from the FCMP website at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/cmp/grants/index.htm. There is no specific application form.

COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE applications must be mailed to: FCMP, MS 47, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000 and must be received by the FCMP no later than 4:00 p.m. (EST), November 7, 2007. Electronic copies and facsimiles will not be accepted. Selected proposals will be included in the FCMP application to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for fiscal year 08-09 which begins July 1, 2008 and ends June 30, 2009.

Important details regarding the COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE grant process:

1.     Financial assistance is available in the form of reimbursement grants in amounts ranging from $15,000 to a maximum of $50,000.

2.     Recipients are required to provide 100 percent (1 to 1) matching contributions in the form of goods and services that directly benefit the specific grant project.

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

        a. The application package must include a completed and signed 306A checklist form, which may be obtained at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/cmp/grants/files/306a.doc.

        b. Applicants proposing a construction activity must conduct preliminary consultation with appropriate local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. A summary of the consultation must be included in the COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE application or it will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

        c. Construction 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.

        d. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible to receive FCMP funds for these types of activities.

For questions or to request a copy of Chapter 62S-4, F.A.C., or the 306A Checklist, please contact: Ms. Dornecia Allen, FCMP, MS 47, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000, (850)245-2161 or by email to Dornecia.Allen@dep.state.fl.us.