Cosco Busan Oil Spill Settlement - Recreational Use Grant Program RFP 2012

Pre-proposal Due Date:  April 26, 2012
Full Proposal Due Date:  September 10, 2012

Overview

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, together with California Department of Fish and Game and the California State Lands Commission, request pre-proposals under the Cosco Busan Oil Spill Settlement – Recreational Use Grant Program (Program) for recreational projects that compensate the public for the loss of use and enjoyment of public beaches, parks, and other public or natural resources as a result of the Cosco Busan oil spill. 

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established the Program with funds it received, on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Game and the California State Lands Commission, pursuant to a consent decree settling a civil action by the United States [Case No. C 07-6045 (SC)], and two related actions (Consent Decree).  The related lawsuits include an action by the California Department of Fish and Game and the State Lands Commission, et al [CV 09-01469] and an action by the City and County of San Francisco and the City of Richmond [CV12-0115].

Geographic Focus

The Program is designed to fund projects that enhance shoreline recreation, recreational fishing, and/or recreational boating in order to compensate for spill-related recreation losses that are not addressed by settlement funds administered by the National Park Service, the City and County of San Francisco, and the City of Richmond.  The distribution of funding is intended to match the impacts from the oil spill to the extent practicable.

Project proposals are expected to focus on fishing, boating, other water-based recreation, and/or other shoreline recreation in the counties of Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, and/or San Mateo. However, project proposals that benefit recreation in Marin County should focus on areas outside the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Similarly, project proposals that benefit recreation in Contra Costa County should focus on areas that are outside the jurisdiction of the City of Richmond. This is because the National Park Service, the City and County of San Francisco, and the City of Richmond all received separate money from the settlement to implement recreation projects within their respective jurisdictions.  For the purpose of this Program, projects within the geographic boundaries of the City of Richmond may be eligible for funding if implemented on lands that are under the jurisdiction of the federal government, the state government, or East Bay Regional Park District. 

Funding Available

Approximately $6.8 million in grant funds are available for projects through this Program. Multi-year projects will be considered. Matching funds and/or in-kind contributions are encouraged, but not required.

The appropriate size of grant awards will be determined by the project location and project type.  Below are approximate fund allocations by project location and project type: 

Program Funding Priorities

Grants will be awarded for implementation of projects that enhance the recreational use and enjoyment of fishing, boating, other water-based, and other shoreline recreation in the counties of Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo. Grants for planning projects will not be considered unless they include or are closely tied to the implementation of a project (through other identified funding or match). 

Applicants must specifically identify in the proposal whether the recreation projects benefit:

• Recreational fishing (including both shore-based fishing and fishing from vessels)
• Non-fishing shoreline recreation (including dog-walking, surfing, kite-boarding, etc.)
• Recreational boating (including both motorized and non-motorized boating)
• Or some combination of the above
 

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based upon how well they meet the following criteria:

• benefit recreational resources similar to those affected by the Cosco Busan spill
• comply with applicable laws
• are cost effective
• provide a broad range of recreation benefits
• begin benefiting the public in the short-term
• provide benefits to the public over the long-term
• have adequate provisions for maintenance and oversight
• avoid collateral injury from project implementation
• have a high likelihood of success
• contribute to a comprehensive suite of funded projects
• have a complete and accurate estimate of project costs
• are beneficial to public health and safety
• provide opportunities for collaboration
• prevent any future injury that may be associated with the Cosco Busan spill
• avoid duplication of other efforts already ongoing at the same location

Projects that are not technically feasible, or are otherwise not expected to provide tangible benefits to recreational fishing, recreational boating, other water-based recreation, and/or shoreline recreation will not be considered.

For more information, see the “Guidance on Restoration Project Selection Criteria for the Cosco Busan Recreation Use Grant Program Administered by the California Department of Fish and Game and the California State Lands Commission” in the Administrative Record for the Cosco Busan oil spill natural resource damage assessment.

Eligibility

Local, state, and federal agencies, local and regional park districts, non-governmental organizations, and other private entities may all apply for funding.

Funds granted under this Program may not be used for political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, or litigation or for projects that are legally-mandated mitigation projects.

Timeline

The anticipated timeline for this grant round is as follows:

April 26, 2012, 5PM Pacific time                 Pre-proposals due via Easygrants

Mid June 2012                                               Full proposals invited

September 10, 2012, 5PM Pacific time        Full proposals due via Easygrants

December 2012                                              Grant awards announced

(Please do not contact the Foundation regarding the status of your proposal until after the announcement date)

How to Apply

Applicants should log onto the Foundation’s website: www.nfwf.org, go to "Grant Programs," click on "Funding Opportunities," select the Cosco Busan Oil Spill Settlement – Recreational Use Grant Program opportunity, and start the application to submit a pre-proposal. (The Cosco Busan Oil Spill Settlement – Recreational Use Grant Program webpage can also be found at http://www.nfwf.org/coscobusanrec.)  To start an application, click on “Apply for a Grant” on that page.   New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting their application. Begin your application by selecting the “Cosco Busan Oil Spill Settlement Recreational Use Grant Program” funding opportunity.  Once you have started an application, you can save it and return at a later point to complete it, up until the application deadline.   Please be sure to disable the pop-up blocker on your Internet browser prior to starting an application.  Successful pre-proposal applicants will be notified by e-mail and invited to submit a full proposal.

Application Assistance

Please direct any questions to Michelle Olson, Manager, Impact-Directed Environmental Accounts, 202-595-2437 or michelle.olson@nfwf.org.