FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2016
DEP PARTNERS
WITH FLORIDA SEA GRANT
FOR COASTAL COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS
~Sharing costs completes projects and benefits
coastal communities~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – DEP’s Florida Coastal Management
Program (FCMP) has partnered with Florida Sea Grant to fund the completion of seven
Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI) grant-funded, community-based coastal projects
around the state. Florida Sea Grant has committed $165,000 this year to fund these
projects, which will immediately benefit their communities and are matched dollar-for-dollar by the communities.
“The CPI grant
program was developed to promote the protection and effective management of
Florida's coastal resources at the local level,” said Kevin Claridge, director
of the Florida Coastal Office. “We are thrilled that Florida Sea Grant is
partnering with the FCMP to assist in the completion of these vital
community-focused projects.”
“This
partnership emphasizes our shared commitment for projects that have tangible,
immediate and lasting benefits to coastal communities and citizens,” said Dr.
Karl Havens, director of the Florida Sea Grant College Program. “The seven
projects chosen to receive Florida Sea Grant funding align with our mission
areas of helping to increase community resilience, increase public access to
the water front and/or restore natural habitat.”
The projects include:
-
City of Mexico Beach,
Bay County – Improve marine infrastructure
for boating safety.
-
City of Deerfield Beach, Broward County – Construct a snorkeling trail on an artificial
near-shore reef, accompanied by an
educational program.
-
City of Oakland Park, Broward County – Develop a
parcel for recreation and water access.
-
City of Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade County – Help the city of Key Biscayne develop a
hazard-resilience plan.
-
City of Key West, Monroe County – Help the Key West community identify strategies to
improve hazard resilience.
-
City of Ft. Pierce, St. Lucie County– Enhance a
natural area for recreational opportunities on the Indian River Lagoon.
-
Volusia County – Prioritize land acquisition for hazard
resilience.
Every year, FCMP solicits
proposals for CPI projects from coastal
communities, which are then reviewed and
ranked by experts. Florida's public colleges and universities, regional planning
councils, national estuary programs and nonprofit groups may also apply if an
eligible local government agrees to participate as a partner.
CPI grants
provide financial support to communities for the implementation of local
projects that protect, enhance and improve the management of natural, cultural
and historical coastal resources, and increase the sustainability, resiliency
and preparedness of coastal communities. FCMP provides National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration funds on a competitive basis to eligible
local governments through the CPI grant program. Eligible local governments are defined as Florida's 35
coastal counties and all municipalities within their boundaries that are
required to include a coastal element in their local comprehensive plan.
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