NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
AUTHORIZATION:
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, Section 306,
Section 308, and Section 309, Public Law 92-583, 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.;
Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1976, Section 306, Public Law
94-370; Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1980, Public Law 96-464;
Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1984, Public Law 98-620; Coastal
Zone Management Act Amendments of 1986, Public Law 99-272; Coastal Zone Act
Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, Public Law 101-508; Commerce, Senate and
Justice Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001, Public Law 106-553; Commerce,
Senate and Justice Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002, Public Law 107-077.
To assist States in implementing and enhancing Coastal
Zone Management and related programs that have been approved by the Secretary
of Commerce.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Cooperative Agreements may be used only to implement and
enhance the States' approved Coastal Zone Management programs. This includes
personnel salaries, travel and other related costs required to support the
administration of the program. Ten to twenty percent of Section 306 funds are
available annually to develop new program requirements under Section 309 in
the areas of coastal wetlands management and protection; natural hazards
management (including potential sea and Great Lakes level rise); public access
improvements; reduction of marine debris; assessment of cumulative and
secondary impacts of coastal growth and development; special area management
planning; impacts of coastal growth and development; special area management
planning; ocean resource planning; and citing of coastal energy and Government
facilities. The Coastal Zone Management Fund established under Section 308,
could be used for management issues that are regional in scope, including
interstate projects; demonstration projects which have high potential for
improving coastal zone management; emergency grants to State coastal zone
management agencies to address unforeseen or disaster related circumstance;
recognizing excellence in coastal zone management; program development grants
as authorized by section 305 and for states to use to investigate and apply
the public trust doctrine implementing State management programs approved
under section 306. Section 310 can be used to provide grants for technical
assistance.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Any
coastal State, including those that border the Great Lakes, and including
Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and
the Trust Territory of the Pacific whose Coastal Zone Management program has
been approved by the Secretary of Commerce. The Governor shall designate the
State agency or entity that is to be the applicant.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
Any coastal State, including Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific whose
Coastal Zone Management program has been approved by the Secretary of
Commerce.
Credentials/Documentation:
Letter from Governor designating the applicant. Proposal with statement of
work and budget estimate. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB
Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Pre-application Coordination:
The standard application forms, as furnished by NOAA and required by 15 CFR
Part 24, must be used when applying for Federal funding. These forms can be
obtained from the NOAA Grants Management Division. Informal pre-application
conferences are recommended. Consultation and assistance is available from
NOAA in the preparation of an application. This program is eligible for
coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated
as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the
process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the
State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure: The
Application for Federal Assistance (Non-construction Programs) SF-424 is to be
submitted in original and two copies. This program is subject to provisions of
15 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments.
Award Procedure:
Applications are approved by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management.
Deadlines: Applications
should be submitted 180 days prior to the beginning date of the grant.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
From 90 to 150 days.
Appeals: No formal
procedure. If application is unacceptable the applicant is fully informed and
applicant may revise application.
Renewals: Continuation
grants on an annual basis are available. Individual grants may be extended,
however, all funds must be obligated within the fiscal year following the
fiscal year of the original award.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
A percentage of the total project cost which varies by fiscal year, must be
provided by the applicant. Federal funds from other sources cannot be used to
match. Awards must be not less than one percent of the amount appropriated
each fiscal year. Eighty to ninety percent of awards are allocated by formula.
The statistical factors used for fund allocation are: (1) Population in
counties within the state's legally defined coastal zone, and the source is
the 1990 Decennial Census; and (2) miles of coastal shoreline and the source
is "The Coastline of the United States," NOAA. The remaining funds
are allotted by cooperative criteria established annually.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
Grants are normally made for 18 months. Funds are released as required.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Financial status
reports and performance reports are required semi-annually. Final financial
status reports are required within 90 days of the award ending date.
Audits: In accordance with
the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, recipients that are States, Local
Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions
of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the
Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial
organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the
award document.
Records: All financial and
programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other
records of grantees or sub-grantees are required to be maintained by the terms
of the agreement. The grantee must retain records for three years from the
date when the final expenditure report is submitted.
Thirty-two coastal States and U.S. island territories,
covering 99 percent of U.S. coastline, participate in this voluntary
partnership. The nature and structure of CZM programs vary widely from State
to State. Some States have passed comprehensive coastal management legislation
while others have used existing land use legislation.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
15 CFR Part 923.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office:
None.
Headquarters Office: Chief,
Coastal Programs Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management,
National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Department of Commerce, 1305 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Telephone: (301) 713-3155. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address: http://www.ocrm.nos.noaa.gov/czm/
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Coastal management programs have been actively involved
in protecting wildlife and fisheries habitats, and regulating land use impacts
on water quality. In addition, coastal programs have taken the leadership of
nationwide beach clean-ups; marshes are protected in South Carolina and
development along the State's 2,876 mile shoreline is now subject to pollution
and storm water guidelines; CZM studies led to State bonds to rebuild coastal
fishing piers and facilities; in California, the permit for a marina was
conditioned to provide at least 80 percent of berthing for commercial fishing
vessels, thus assuring them a permanent base. Coastal land valued acquired for
public access in the ten States and territories cited; land obtained for
recreation in California, Massachusetts, and Guam; access ways to the water
have been designated in Rhode Island and California.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
While 80 to 90 percent of the appropriated funds are
allocated to States through a formula based on coastal population and
shoreline mileage, the tasks in the State application are reviewed for
relevance to program objectives and cost effectiveness. The remainder of the
funds are allocated according to criteria published by the Coastal Program
Division.
