WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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%
—MMS—
Total Allocation
$ 3,992,047.32
$ 4,951,015.14
$
8,943,062.46