Projects of Special Merit Competition - FY2014

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The objective of Section 309 is to encourage States or Territories with federally-approved coastal management programs (CMPs) to continually improve their programs. The intent of Projects of Special Merit (PSM) funding is to offer CMPs the opportunity to develop innovative projects that further their approved enhancement area strategies and focus on national priorities. The Secretary is authorized to make grants to a CMP for the development and submission of Federally approved program changes that support attainment of one or more enhancement area objectives established at § 923.122.PSM funds will be awarded to CMPs competitively. Proposed projects shall further the objectives of an approved enhancement area strategy but shall not be essential to meeting specific benchmarks in the strategy. PSM projects shall not be dependent on long term levels of funding to succeed. Proposals must focus on one or more of the following priority enhancement area objectives:- Wetlands: Protecting, restoring, or enhancing existing coastal wetlands, or creating new coastal wetlands.- Hazards: Preventing or significantly reducing threats to life and property by eliminating development and redevelopment in high-hazard areas, managing development in other hazard areas, and anticipating and managing the effects of potential sea level rise and Great Lakes level change.- Cumulative and Secondary Impacts: Developing and adopting procedures to assess, consider, and control cumulative and secondary impacts of coastal growth and development, including the collective effect on various individual uses or activities on coastal resources, such as coastal wetlands and fishery resources.- Ocean and Great Lakes Resources (including planning for offshore energy uses): Planning for the use of ocean resources.Funds may be used for any of the following allowable uses which support the attainment of a program change:- Project personnel costs;- Supplies and overhead;- Travel;- Equipment (pursuant to 15 CFR part 24);- Projects, studies and reports; and- Contractual costs including subcontracts, sub-awards, personal service contracts with individuals, memoranda of agreement/understanding, and other forms of pass through funding for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of section 309.Funds may not be used for land acquisition or construction projects.

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