CALL FOR ARTIFICIAL REEF CONSTRUCTION AND
MONITORING GRANT APPLICATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION (FWC)
DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
The Florida Artificial Reef Program within the FWC
Division of Marine Fisheries Management anticipates the availability of
up to $400,000 in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid in Sport
Fish Restoration Program funds, and an estimated $300,000 in state
saltwater fishing license revenues for artificial reef related
activities. These funds will be made available through a
grants-in-aid program for artificial reef construction on a cost
reimbursement basis and for science-based biological or socio-economic
artificial reef monitoring projects on either a cost reimbursement or
fee schedule basis.
This year's application form is the same as last year's
form, consistent with "The Florida Artificial Reef Program" rule,
Chapter 68E-9 FAC. As in last year, a cap of $60,000 is set for an
artificial reef project per fiscal year, and any project request greater
than $60,000 will require additional information pursuant to Chapter
68E-9.006.
Two applications are enclosed with this announcement,
one for general artificial reef construction, one for general artificial
reef monitoring. Applications for other complex
planning, research and evaluation projects must be submitted in a formal
proposal describing all details of the proposed project. Only one
application for each type of project will be accepted from a given
applicant. Eligible applicants include local coastal governments,
State of Florida public universities and certain nonprofit organizations
(one of whose principle charges as stated in By-laws or Articles of
Incorporation is the construction and/or monitoring of artificial
reefs), pursuant to Chapter 370.25, F.S. and according to the provisions
of Chapter 68E-9 FAC. Other interested entities would need to work
in partnership or be subcontracted by an eligible applicant entity.
If multiple entities are submitting the same category of
application from within the same county geographic boundaries, the
highest ranked single project from within the county will be selected
for that category.
Applications must be received no later than Friday March
21, 2008, by 5 p.m.
Artificial reef construction applications will not be considered unless
accompanied by documentation of a permitted site valid through June 30,
2009.
Any previously unsubmitted Materials Placement Reports
(i.e. both grant and non-grant funded) must accompany all applications
for all reef construction projects completed by the applicant in FY
2007-08 (as required by Federal artificial reef permit conditions).
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Competition
for grant funding is expected to be high this year for the anticipated
$700,000 funding. Last year $946,753 million was requested. The
evaluation and ranking of applications is accomplished through a
numerical rating process involving multiple independent reviewers and
based directly on the provisions of Chapter 68E-9.005 FAC.
Applicants should be aware that the FWC requires grant
recipients to provide a substantial amount of contract management and
project oversight, including direct supervision of all subcontractors.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to develop and formulate a
long-term plan for the development of artificial reefs in their
geographical area and monitoring of their effectiveness. For any
additional information regarding the artificial reef grants program,
please contact Jon Dodrill, Bill Horn, or Keith Mille at the letterhead
address listed below or by telephone at (850) 922-4340. Staff are
also available to provide pre-application consultation prior to your
submittal.
Notification of conceptual grant awards will take place
by June 15, 2008. Confirmation of project funding levels will be
known by July 2, 2008.
Applications should be sent to the Artificial Reef Program at
one of the following addresses:
(Mail)
620 South Meridian Street, Box # 4B2
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
(Courier)
2590 Executive Center Circle East
Berkeley Building, Suite 203
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
View this page as a PDF
|
