Notice: Notice of Funds Availability-Texas Coastal Management Program

The General Land Office and the Coastal Coordination Advisory Committee (CCAC) file this Notice of Funds Availability to announce the availability of §306/§306A federal grant funds under the Texas Coastal Management Program (CMP). The purpose of the CMP is to improve the management of the state’s coastal resources and to ensure the long-term ecological and economic productivity of the coast.

A federal award to the state of approximately $2 million in §306/§306A funding is expected in October 2014. The General Land Office, which oversees the implementation of the CMP with the advice of the CCAC, passes through approximately 90% of the available §306/§306A funds to eligible entities in the coastal zone to support projects that implement and/or advance the CMP goals and policies.

Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible to receive grants under the CMP.

1. Incorporated cities within the coastal zone boundary
2. County governments within the coastal zone boundary
3. Texas state agencies
4. Texas public colleges/universities
5. Subdivisions of the state with jurisdiction in the coastal zone (e.g., navigation districts, port authorities, river authorities, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts with jurisdiction in the coastal zone)
6. Councils of governments and other regional governmental entities within the coastal zone boundary
7. The Galveston Bay Estuary Program
8. The Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program
9. Nonprofit organizations located in Texas that are nominated by an eligible entity in categories 1-8 above. (A nomination may take the form of a resolution or letter from a responsible official of an entity in categories 1-8. The nominating entity is not expected to financially or administratively contribute to the management and implementation of the proposed project.)

Funding Categories

The General Land Office and the CCAC will accept applications for projects that address any of the following funding categories. The categories are not listed in order of preference.

1. Coastal Natural Hazards Response
2. Critical Areas Enhancement
3. Public Access
4. Water Sediment Quantity and Quality Improvements
5. Waterfront Revitalization and Ecotourism Development
6. Permit Streamlining/Assistance, Governmental Coordination & Local Government Planning Assistance

Grant workshops will be held in three coastal cities to help potential applicants through the Guidance and Application Package. Grant workshops are opportunities for potential applicants to learn about the changes made to the grant program and to discuss specific project ideas with staff. Applicants are not required to attend a workshop, but attendance is strongly encouraged for first-time and/or inexperienced applicants who are unfamiliar with the CMP application process.

May 8, 2013, 9:00 a.m., Port Isabel, Port Isabel Housing Authority - Community Center, 100 Hockaday Drive

May 15, 2013, 9:30 a.m., Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University - Natural Resources Center, 6300 Ocean Drive, Room 1003.

May 22, 2013, 9:30 a.m., Galveston, County Courthouse, 722 Moody, Workshop Room.

The requirements to receive federal grant funds are outlined in the CMP Cycle #19 Grant Guidance and Application Packet. To download the electronic version, the grant guidance and application packet is available at http://www.glo.texas.gov/what-we-do/caring-for-the-coast/grants-funding/cmp/index.html.

In order to submit pre-proposals or final applications, you must register to receive a user ID and password.

Applicants must submit electronically. Facsimiles or hard copies of pre-proposals and final applications will not be accepted.

The deadline to submit pre-proposals is Wednesday, June 19, 2013 by 5:00 p.m. Submission of a pre-proposal is optional but is strongly recommended for first-time and/or inexperienced applicants who are unfamiliar with the CMP application process, applicants who have an idea for a new and/or innovative project, applicants who are uncertain if a project is eligible under this grant program, or applicants submitting research projects. Written comments will only be provided to applicants who submit pre-proposals by June 19, 2013 by 5:00 p.m. The deadline to submit final grant applications is Wednesday, September 25, 2013 by 5:00 p.m.