Overview (See Chapter 8 of Program Document for details)
Upon ICMP approval, Illinois can expect about $2 million in federal funding each year under Section 306/306A. The DNR will hire new staff and assign new responsibilities to existing staff in order to meet the implementation and administrative requirements associated with managing this new program for Illinois.
Administrative Grants (Section 306)
The primary purpose for use of Section 306 grants is to assure effective implementation and administration of the ICMP. Section 306 grants may not be used for land acquisition or for construction purposes which may be eligible under Section 306A.
Section 306 funding may be used to support projects which assist communities and organizations in the coordination and planning for the management or restoration of natural, cultural, and historical resources within the coastal area. Projects may include resource management and diagnostic studies, or educational and public outreach projects, topic specific training, workshops and conferences that will increase opportunities for citizens to participate in decisions and maintenance of projects affecting the coastal area.
Resource Management Improvement Grants (Section 306A)
Resource management improvement grants have more specific requirements than Section 306 grants. These types of grants are generally considered for low-cost construction projects (such as paths, walkways, fences, parks, and rehabilitation of historic buildings and structures) or for land acquisition. Section 306A Grants may be provided if the project meets one or more of the following objectives:
- The preservation or restoration of specific areas of the state that are designated for the purposes of preserving or restoring them for their conservation, recreational, ecological or esthetic values, or contain one or more coastal resources of national significance.
- The redevelopment of deteriorating and underutilized urban waterfronts and ports that are designated in the state's management program as areas of particular concern (APC). The term "urban waterfront and port" means any developed area that is densely populated and is being used for, or has been used for, urban residential recreational, commercial, shipping or industrial purposes. Grants may be made for the rehabilitation or acquisition of piers to provide increased public use, including compatible commercial activity; the establishment of shoreline stabilization measures including the installation or rehabilitation of bulkheads for the purpose of public safety or increasing public access and use, and for the removal or replacement of pilings where such action will provide increased recreational use of urban waterfront areas.
- The provision of access to public beaches and other public coastal areas of environmental, recreational, historical, esthetic, ecological, or cultural value.
- The development of a coordinated process among State agencies to regulate and issue permits for aquaculture facilities in the coastal zone.
Section 306A grants will always require a 1 Federal to 1 State match.
Location and Match Requirements
- Grant projects must be located entirely within the ICMP boundary, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the project will result in direct and substantial benefits within the ICMP boundary. Without exception, all construction and acquisition projects must be located entirely within the ICMP boundary.
- The ICMP Grant Program will be a reimbursement grant program, whereby the project sponsor will be required to make the initial outlays for the project and then request reimbursement from the DNR. Applicants must be able to provide the required federal cost share percent of the project costs. Other federal funding may not be used as the sponsor's cost share or required match.
- The required match may include the direct expenditure of funds for salaries, travel expenses, and purchase of equipment, supplies and other reasonable items associated with the project. Match may also include the use of equipment and volunteer time. Volunteer time may be used as match if it is charged at the rate paid for the type of work being done. Gifts and donations are acceptable, but only if they are made during the grant period. The required Grant Recipient Match expenditures cannot begin until Final Approval by NOAA.
Eligible Recipients and Projects for ICMP Grants Program Assistance
The DNR, with the approval of the Secretary, may allocate a portion of Section 306 and 306A grant funds to the following recipients for assisting in projects or activities which are determined consistent with the ICMP priorities and policies.
- Units of local government, including municipalities, townships, counties and villages
- Area-wide agencies, including county and regional planning agencies designated under section 204 of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966
- State agencies whose activities affect or are affected by activities in the coastal area
- Colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning
- Park districts, conservancy districts, school districts and port authorities
- Nonprofit organizations that are legally constituted as 501(c)(3) organizations and have been nominated to undertake the project by one of the other eligible entities listed above. (Nonprofit organizations are only eligible for non-construction and non-acquisition projects.)
General Category Examples of Eligible Projects
- Coastal Hazard Mitigation
- Public Access
- Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
- Coastal Wetland Protection
- Government Coordination and Decision Making
- Historic Preservation
- Coastal Resource Research and Data Collection
- Community Planning
- Education and Public Awareness
- Habitat Restoration
- Land Acquisition
General Category Examples of Non-eligible Projects
- Beach re-nourishment
- Restroom facilities
- Large-scale hard structure erosion control projects
- Maintenance
- General recreational facilities such as playgrounds or ball fields
- Road and parking lot construction
- Water and sewer line construction
- Wetland or habitat restoration required as a permit condition or mitigation program
- Improvements to private property or for private enterprises