• State Program Name:  Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program 
• Federal Funding Source: Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce
• Application Deadline: Applications must be received electronically by October 16, 2013. Email applications to Beth Polak at the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program:   beth.polak@deq.virginia.gov. 
• Funding Opportunity Description: The purpose of this document is to advise eligible applicants (requirements described below) that the Virginia CZM Program is soliciting coastal and estuarine land conservation (acquisitions or easements) project proposals for competitive funding under the CELCP.  Funding is contingent upon the availability of FY 2014 Federal appropriations. NOAA anticipates that approximately $3,000,000 may be available through federal CELCP appropriations.  Typical awards are expected to range between $100,000 and $1,000,000.  It is anticipated that projects funded under this announcement will have a grant start date between July 1, 2014 and October 1, 2014.

Program Objectives:

The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) was authorized “for the purposes of protecting important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by conversion from their natural, undeveloped, or recreational state to other uses.”  This announcement solicits proposals for land acquisition projects (fee simple interest or conservation easements) that can be completed within 18 months from the start date of the award (anticipated between July 1, 2014 and October 1, 2014) and that have the purpose of protecting important coastal and estuarine areas.  NOAA may extend the performance period for project grants up to an additional 18 months (for a maximum total performance period of 3 years) if circumstances warrant and if progress on the project is being demonstrated.  

Eligible Projects 

In order to be eligible to compete, a project must:

• Be located in a coastal and estuarine area included within the Coastal Zone boundary, as identified in the Virginia CELCP plan;
• Match Federal CELCP funds with non-Federal funds at a ratio of 1:1
• Be held in public ownership by the grant recipient (please note: If the grant recipient is a state agency that does not have authority to hold title to lands, the property may be held by another state agency that has the authority and mission to own and manage land for conservation purposes in a manner consistent with CELCP.  If the project includes lands being contributed as in-kind match, the match properties may be held either in public ownership or by a qualified non-governmental organization);
• Provide conservation in perpetuity;
• Provide for public access or other public benefit, as appropriate and consistent with resource protection;
• Be consistent with Virginia’s Coastal Zone Management Program approved under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA);
• Be acquired from a willing seller; and 
• Complement working waterfront needs, to the extent practicable.

 To meet the CELCP’s national criteria, projects should:

• Protect important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by conversion from their natural, undeveloped, or recreational state to other uses;
• Give priority to lands that: can be effectively managed and protected, have significant ecological value, have a demonstrated need for protection, and have ability to successfully leverage funds; and  
• Directly advance the goals, objectives, and implementation of the Virginia CELCP plan, which necessarily includes goals and objectives that relate to the coastal management plan or program, NERR management plans approved under the CZMA, national objectives of the CZMA, or a regional or state watershed protection plan for states and territories with approved coastal management plans.

 For complete information regarding the VA CELCP application process visit the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program website   Virginia CELCP Plan or contact the staff person listed below.