The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service announced today the approval of Alabama’s Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) Plan, calling it a major step forward in providing $51.1 million to the state of Alabama in the coming year, representing the first two years of funding under CIAP. Additional funding for grants will also be available for the following two years. The money will help fund 129 projects over a four year period in the state of Alabama.
'The Interior Department is committed to protecting our nation’s natural resources,' Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. 'I applaud the state of Alabama for submitting such a strong and balanced plan for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program so we can put these funds to work.'
Alabama became the fifth state to receive approval from Interior’s Minerals Management Service for its Coastal Impact Assistance Program plan when MMS Acting Director Walter Cruickshank joined Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner M. Barnett Lawley today in a signing ceremony at Five Rivers – Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, AL. The approval of Alabama’s plan allows the state to submit grant proposals for Coastal Impact Assistance Program projects involving conservation, restoration, enhancement and protection of natural coastal resources.
Alabama’s Grant Program Announcement will be posted at www.grants.gov today. The announcement provides instructions and guidance on the submittal process for CIAP grant applications. Funding is made available to the State and counties when the grants are awarded.
The allocation of each year’s $25.5 million will be divided with $16.6 million going to the state of Alabama and $8.9 million being split among the two coastal counties. See the table below for county distribution.
Alabama Coastal Political Subdivisions
CIAP Fiscal Year 2007 and Fiscal Year 2008 Allocations
Coastal Political Subdivisions (CPS):
-
Baldwin
-
Mobile
Total
Percent of Allocation:
-
44.64%
-
55.36%
-
100.00%
Total Allocation:
-
$ 3,992,047.32
-
$ 4,951,015.14
-
$ 8,943,062.46
Contact:
Frank Quimby (202) 208-6416
Nicholas Pardi (202) 208-7746