IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.

nps_1_newsticker_mgmt_plan

Appendix C: Table of Contents

Section C-4: Lake Michigan Coastal Program

The U.S. Congress has made funds available to states and territories with approved coastal zone management programs for competitive grants for community-based coastal activities. Funding and oversight are provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM). Projects must be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Act of 1972 (CZMA, 16 U.S.C. §1451 et seq.) and meet the requirements of the CZM program administered by OCRM.

The state requires that projects are consistent with the CZM Act. For Indiana, this funding will be administered by the IDNR, Division of Nature Preserves (DNP), and the Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP).

This document is intended to establish the structure and requirements for Indiana's Coastal Grants Program. The purpose of the program is to preserve, protect, restore, and, where possible, develop the resources of the coast for this and succeeding generations. The program also exists to achieve wise use of the land and water resources of the coastal region, giving full consideration to ecological, cultural, historic, and esthetic values, as well as to needs for economic development. The LMCP seeks out social, economic, and environmental solutions that balance the use and protection of the coast’s valuable, yet fragile, resources. Proposals for projects will be reviewed on a competitive basis, using the grant funds available to Indiana.

Eligible Applicants

The following are eligible applicants:

  • units of local government, such as municipalities, townships, counties, and towns;
  • area-wide agencies, including county and regional planning agencies;
  • state agencies;
  • state colleges, universities, and other state institutions of higher learning;
  • conservancy districts and port authorities;
  • basin commissions;
  • non-profit organizations – 501(c)3 (some restrictions apply); and,
  • non-profit organizations are only eligible to apply for non-construction/non-acquisition projects as grantees. They may partner with a public entity to perform some or all tasks of a 306(a) construction or acquisition project, but they may not be a grantee for construction/acquisition projects.
Eligible Projects

Funding is available for projects that protect, restore, and plan for the management of coastal, natural, historical, and cultural resources. Projects must be consistent with the CZM Act.

Ineligible Projects include, but are not limited to:

  • construction projects on privately owned land without a conservation easement or other public interest;
  • large scale, hard structure erosion control projects;
  • beach renourishment;
  • infrastructure projects related to water and sewer line construction;
  • dredging;
  • restrooms;
  • road and parking lot construction;
  • routine maintenance;
  • general recreational facilities such as playgrounds, ball fields, courts, etc.;
  • wetland or other habitat restoration that is required as a condition of a permit or other regulatory action; and,
  • contaminated site cleanup that is required as a condition of a permit or other regulatory action.
Eligible Geographic Area

Projects must be located entirely within the LMCP Coastal Program Area, which comprises the northern portion of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties. The applicant may also attempt to demonstrate that the project will have direct substantial benefits within the coastal region.

Lands owned by a federal entity are excluded from the LMCP Program Area and, therefore, projects may not occur on these lands.

Lake Michigan Coastal Program: Small Grant Program

Beginning in 2003, the LMCP allocated a limited amount of funds to serve short-term requests for funding from the coastal community. The projects are to be short-term in duration, small in scope, and use the same application as the large grant program.

Two different Small Grant categories are available:

  • Outreach and Education: includes ideas such as public participation processes, information kiosks, symposiums, conferences (cannot cover food costs), etc.; and,
  • Resource Management: projects such as GIS data collection, aerial photography, land use planning, and other projects that allow for better resource management.
Who can apply?

All entities eligible for the annual large grant funding cycle are eligible to apply for small grant funds. This includes local units of government, nonprofits, colleges and universities, joint powers boards, state agencies, etc. The project must occur within the coastal area and address coastal issues.

What are the match requirements?
  • request for funds cannot be more than $5,000;
  • projects must be matched at least 50/50 or 1:1;
  • a $5,000 request must be matched with $5,000 of non-federal cash or in-kind services for a total of $10,000;
  • must follow the same accounting standards as large grants; and,
  • all funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis.
What are the project limitations?
  • a project can receive LMCP small grant funds only once during the project life;
  • an applicant can only have one request funded at a time; and,
  • projects cannot involve construction, land acquisition, or restoration.
What is the timeline for small grants?
  • small grant applications are accepted at the same time as the regular large scale grants and anytime thereafter;
  • projects must be ready to begin within 30 days of approval, pending a signed grant agreement; and,
  • projects must be fully completed within six months, including all paperwork and requests for reimbursements.

Table of Contents