Resilience and Coastal Protection Project Funding Sources

Through the Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI), the Florida Coastal Management Program makes National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funds available on a competitive basis to Florida's 35 coastal counties and all municipalities within their boundaries that are required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive plan. Florida's public colleges and universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs and nonprofit groups also may apply for CPI funds, if an eligible local government agrees to participate as a partner. CPI grants provide support for innovative, local, coastal management projects in four program areas: Resilient Communities; Public Access; Working Waterfronts and Coastal Stewardship.

• Example CPI Projects

Florida's 35 coastal counties and all municipalities within their boundaries that are required to include a coastal element in their local comprehensive plan. Florida's public colleges and universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs and nonprofit groups also may apply if an eligible local government agrees to participate as a partner.

The Florida Coastal Management Program makes National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funds available on a competitive basis to state agencies and water management districts for projects related to coastal resource protection. Priorities include water quality improvements encompassing research, monitoring, or restoration, and protection of vulnerable coastlines. Proposed projects should be able to be completed within 12 months and should be designed to generate and provide information, plans, or meet needs for protection, coordination and response to hazards along Florida’s coast.   

• Example State Agency and Water Management Grant projects 
  • Note: No projects were awarded in 2018-19 or 2019-20. 

Florida's state agencies, as identified in sections 20.10 through 20.43, F.S., and water management districts

In Florida, the Clean Vessel Act Grant Program is housed within the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection. Since 1994, DEP has provided grants to marinas across the state to install pumpout facilities and to purchase pumpout vessels. To further improve water quality in Florida’s waterways, DEP’s Clean Boater Program also funds educational programs for boaters through the Clean Vessel Act grant. The CVA grant program is a great way to upgrade your marina's waste-handling facilities and provide customers with a quick and convenient option for proper disposal. The Clean Vessel Program can fund up to 75% of eligible project costs relating to site preparation, equipment purchase, installation, operations, maintenance, sewage hauling, signage and educational outreach.

• Example CVA Projects

Current facilities (public or private) that provide public access to pumpout equipment

Funding for the restoration and nourishment of Florida's critically eroded beaches is managed by the Beach Management Funding Assistance Program. The program provides and manages grants to local governments and municipalities for planning, implementing, and maintaining beach and inlet management projects that protect upland structures and infrastructure, provide critical habitat for threatened and endangered species, provide recreational opportunities, and support local economies through tourism.

Recognizing the importance of the state's beaches, the Florida Legislature, in 1986, adopted a posture of protecting and restoring the state's beaches through a comprehensive beach management planning program. The program evaluates beach erosion problems throughout the state and seeks viable solutions. The program is authorized by section 161.101, Florida Statutes, and rules of Chapter 62B-36, F.A.C.

• Example Beaches Funding Program Projects

Beaches that DEP has designated as critically eroded are eligible for funding. Financial assistance in an amount up to 50% of project costs is available to Florida's local governments, including county and municipal governments, community development districts and special taxing districts.

DEP is committed to marshaling resources to prepare Florida’s coastal communities and habitats for the effects of climate change, especially rising sea levels. Through the Florida Resilient Coastlines Program, DEP continues its efforts to help ensure collaboration among Florida’s coastal communities, and to offer technical assistance and funding to coastal communities dealing with increasingly complex flooding, erosion and habitat shifts.

The Florida Resilient Coastlines Program provides financial assistance aimed at preparing Florida's coastal communities for current and future effects of rising sea levels, including coastal flooding, erosion and ecosystem changes. Resilience Planning Grants (RPGs) are available to Florida communities that are required to have a coastal management element in their comprehensive plan. Eligible activities include: Compliance with “Peril of Flood” statute (section 163.3178(2)(f) F.S.), Development of Adaptation Action Areas, Vulnerability Assessments, Adaptation Plans or Resilience Plans other than what's necessary for compliance with Peril of Flood Requirements, such as those for historic resources or stormwater management systems, and regional collaboration efforts. 

Resilience Implementation Grants (RIGs) are available to Florida communities that are required to have a coastal management element in their comprehensive plan. The purpose of RIGs is to assist coastal communities in implementing their adaptation/resilience plans by supporting nature-based options for erosion and flood control, elevation of public structures, and projects specifically included in existing adaptation/resilience plans. Projects should be able to be completed in 10 months. Funding for the RPG program comes from the state budget; the total amount awarded will depend on funding made available by the Governor and Legislature. Individual awards will be up to $500,000.

On May 12, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill 1954. This comprehensive legislation ensures a coordinated approach to Florida’s coastal and inland resiliency. The Resilient Florida Program enhances efforts to protect inland waterways, coastlines and shores, which serve as invaluable natural defenses against sea level rise. The legislation will yield the largest investment in Florida’s history to prepare communities for the impacts of climate change – including sea level rise, intensified storms and flooding. 

• The submitted applications are available for viewing.  
• ResilientFlorida is the password to access the folder.

The Resilient Florida Program includes a selection of grants that are available to counties, municipalities, water management districts, flood control districts and regional resilience entities. To effectively address the impacts of flooding and sea level rise that the state faces, eligible applicants may receive funding assistance to analyze and plan for vulnerabilities, as well as implement projects for adaptation and mitigation. 

Please refer to section 380.093, F.S. for more information on the available grant programs, definitions and required parameters.