Coastal Impact Assistance Program

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Section 384 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Act) created CIAP by amending Section 31 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. � 1356a). Under the provisions of the Act, the authority and responsibility for the management of CIAP is vested in the Secretary of the Department of the Interior (Secretary). The Secretary delegated this authority and responsibility to the Minerals Management Service, later BOEMRE, from the date of enactment through September 30, 2011. The Secretary has re-delegated CIAP authority and responsibility to the FWS beginning October 1, 2011. Under Section 1356a(b)(1) of the Act, BOEMRE has allocated CIAP funds of $250 million for each year, FY 2007 through 2010, to eligible States and CPSs. The amount allocated to each State is based on the proportion of qualified Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues accrued by the individual State to total qualified OCS revenues from all eligible States. In accordance with the allocated funds, BOEMRE awarded grant funds from FY2007 through FY2011. Beginning in FY2012, the FWS will award remaining allocated grant funds, estimated at $500 million. We will award all available funds through a noncompetitive grant process. To receive CIAP grant awards, States were required to submit a coastal impact assistance plan (Plan) developed in coordination with their CPSs. BOEMRE approved the Plans for specified funding years prior to awarding funds (Section 1356a(c)(2)(A)). Beginning October 1, 2011, we will manage Plans, Plan revisions and grant awards. All Plans previously approved by BOEMRE will continue as approved Plans by the FWS, however, we must approve any new Plans and revisions to approved Plans. Eligible recipients within eligible States, i.e., the State and designated CPS entities, may submit grant applications for projects identified in their approved Plan. The Act stipulates that CIAP funds must only be used for one or more of the following authorized uses: 1. Projects and activities for the conservation, protection, or restoration of coastal areas, including wetland; 2. Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources; 3. Planning assistance and the administrative costs of complying with CIAP (total not to exceed 23% of an annual allocation); 4. Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan; and 5. Mitigation of the impact of OCS activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects and public service needs (total not to exceed 23% of an annual allocation).

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