Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration

To provide competitive matching grants to coastal States for coastal wetlands conservation projects. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Section 305, Title III, Public Law 101-646 U.S.C. 3954) established the National Coas

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program (15.614) supports the long term conservation, restoration, and enhancement of coastal wetland ecosystems across coastal and Great Lakes states, U.S. territories, and insular areas. Authorized by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act and funded through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, the program helps maintain healthy coastal environments that benefit fish, wildlife, coastal communities, and outdoor recreation. The program's purpose is to assist States in carrying out priority coastal wetland conservation and restoration projects. States identify the areas and actions most important for maintaining or improving their coastal resources and use grant funds to acquire key coastal lands or to restore, enhance, or manage wetland habitats. These wetlands contribute to shoreline stability, water quality, ecological function, and recreational opportunities. The program provides match grants to coastal states, Great Lakes states, and eligible U.S. Territories. Louisiana is not eligible because it receives separate funding under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act. State and territorial natural resource agencies may work with tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners to develop and implement projects. The program is unique in its national competitive structure and long record of supporting State led conservation priorities. Since 1992, it has provided substantial annual funding, typically between $18 million and $23 million, to protect and restore important coastal habitats. Individual projects may receive up to $1 million in federal funding and require a nonfederal match of 50 percent, or 25 percent for States with qualifying land conservation programs. For American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the match requirements are reduced. Through these investments, States advance their coastal conservation priorities, support fish and wildlife, strengthen community and ecological resilience, and enhance recreational opportunities for the public.

Eligible applicants include any agency or agencies designated by the Governor of a coastal State. It is usually a State natural resource or fish and wildlife agency. Eligible coastal States are States bordering the Great Lakes (Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin); States bordering the Atlantic, Gulf (except Louisiana), and Pacific coasts (Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington); and American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Funds are available to coastal States for acquisition of real property interests in coastal lands or waters, and for restoration, enhancement or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.

Funds are available to coastal States for acquisition of real property interests in coastal lands or waters, and for restoration, enhancement or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.

Once money is awarded, the money is available to the State for the time designated in the grant agreement (50 CFR 84.44).

Applications are scored and then ranked based on criteria published in 50 CFR 84.32. See the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and Attachment A to this NOFO for more information on ranking criteria. The NOFO is available at www.Grants.gov.

The Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service will select projects to be funded based on established criteria.

Approximately 150 days.

Applications for successive project phases are competed as new project applications

Regional Directors will consider differences of opinion concerning the eligibility of proposals. Final determination rests with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.