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Coastal Planning and Construction Grants

Purpose:  To assist in the protection, preservation, restoration, enhancement and wisely develop the nation’s longest freshwater coastline, the Michigan Coastal Management (MCM) Program provides grant funds to promote vibrant and resilient coastal communities. Approximately $700,000 for planning and on-the-ground, site specific projects is available annually in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For more information, visit  Michigan.gov/CoastalManagement

Goals of the Program:

  • Assist in the development of vibrant and resilient coastal communities
  • Protect and restore healthy coastal ecosystems
  • Prevent damage from coastal hazards
  • Create and enhance coastal public access
  • Protect coastal high quality waters
  • Preserve historic maritime structures
  • Promote environmental stewardship

Criteria:

  • Extent to which the project furthers MCM Program goals.
  • Degree of public benefit to be derived from the project.
  • Leveraging private and public resources.
  • Project readiness and feasibility for completion within specified grant period.
  • The likelihood that the project could proceed in the absence of MCM Program funding.

Eligibility:

  • Coastal units of government.
  • Regional planning agencies and conservation districts
  • Academic institutions
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Tribal governments

All projects must be located within Michigan’s coastal boundary to be eligible for funding. Michigan’s coastal boundary generally extends approximately 1,000 feet inland from the ordinary high water mark. The boundary extends further inland in some locations to encompass important coastal features such as coastal wetlands, drowned river mouths bays, dunes, and natural areas.

Application Process:  The Grants Funding Opportunity (GFO) is announced and posted annually on the EGLE Coastal Management Program Web site. 

Nominating Procedures:   Grant applications are reviewed based on the criteria stated in the respective RFP and recommended projects are submitted for final approval to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce.

Deadlines:  The Request for Proposal is offered annually with an October 1 release date and application due date of mid-December (dates vary depending on calendar).

Timelines:  Grant awards become available for successful applicants the following October.

Dollar Amount(s) Available (Min or Max):  Planning Grants range from $10,000 to $75,000; Low-Cost Construction Grants range from $10,000 to $200,000.

Required Match:  A one-to-one non-federal match is required for all projects and may be in the form of cash, in-kind services, or donations. Applicants are required to provide documentation of secured match funding at the time of application.

Source(s) of Funds:  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce.

Authority:  Federal Coastal Zone Management Act.

Responsible Division/Office Contact:  EGLE, Water Resources Division, Coastal Management Unit, Ronda Wuycheck, 517-420-5921.

Recent Awards/Example Project:  See the CMP Web site.