Assistance Listings

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Oil Spill Impact Program

Objectives

The primary objective of this program is to disburse funds to eligible entities for the purpose of restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and economy of the Gulf Coast region using the best available science in accordance with an approved State Expenditure Plan.

Examples of Funded Projects

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No data available

Accomplishments

Account Identification

95-1770-0-1-452

Types of Assistance

B - Project Grants (for specified projects)

Credentials and Documentation

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Comprehensive Plan, August 2013, Comprehensive Plan Update 2016, December 2016, and Comprehensive Plan Update 2022, September 2022 apply to this program. Department of the Treasury Regulations for the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund, 31 CFR Part 34, publication of the Final Rule December 14, 2015 (80 FR 77239), and the Final Rule Amending 31 CFR 34.204(a), published April 3, 2019 (84 FR 12929), apply to this program. RESTORE Act Spill Impact Component Planning Allocation, 40 CFR Part 1800, publication date of the Final Rule January 13, 2015 (80 FR 1584), and RESTORE Act Spill Impact Component Allocation, 40 CFR 1800, publication date of Final Rule December 15, 2015 (80 FR 77580) and effective date of April 12, 2016 (81 FR 21478), also apply to this program. All State Expenditure Plans must (1) describe the best available science, as applicable, that informed the State's selection of each project or program, and (2) include a certification that projects and programs are based on the best available science as defined in the RESTORE Act. Best available science is defined in the RESTORE Act as science that (A) maximizes the quality, objectivity, and integrity of information, including statistical information; (B) uses peer-reviewed and publicly available data; and (C) clearly documents and communicates risks and uncertainties in the scientific basis for such projects. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants are specified by the RESTORE Act and regulations at 31 C.F.R. Part 34 as the five Gulf Coast States or their administrative agents, as defined in 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3), Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. For the development of the State Expenditure Plan, the eligible entities for each Gulf Coast State are as follows: in Alabama, the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council; in Florida, a consortia of local political subdivisions that includes at a minimum 1 representative of each affected county; in Louisiana, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana; in Mississippi, the Office of the Governor or an appointee of the Office of the Governor; and in Texas, the Office of the Governor or an appointee of the Office of the Governor [33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3)(B)(iii)]. Only the above-named entities are eligible applicants who may apply for funding. The RESTORE Council does not make Spill Impact Program grants directly to other entities or individuals. States may select subrecipients to carryout approved projects in the State Expenditure Plan. Interested third parties may contact their jurisdiction listed above to learn more about how the eligible entities select proposed activities.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The principal beneficiaries are the people, wildlife, economy/businesses, and natural resources of the Gulf Coast region.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The period of performance is specified in the grant award documents. Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum

Use of Assistance

The intent of this program is to disburse funds to eligible entities for the purpose of restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and economy of the Gulf Coast region using the best available science in accordance with an approved State Expenditure Plan. All projects, programs, and activities must be eligible activities pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(1)(B) and must be included in an approved State Expenditure Plan (SEP). The projects, programs and activities must contribute to the overall economic and ecological recovery of the Gulf Coast; the State Expenditure Plan must take into consideration the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Comprehensive Plan (“Comprehensive Plan”), August 2013, Comprehensive Plan Update 2016, December 2016, and Comprehensive Plan Update 2022, September 2022, and be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. States may select subrecipients to carryout approved projects in the State Expenditure Plan.No more than 25 percent of the funding made available may be used for infrastructure projects eligible under subclauses (VI) and (VII) of 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(1)(B)(i) unless the exception in 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3)(B)(ii)(II) applies. Not more than 3 percent of the amounts received by a Gulf Coast State may be used for administrative costs, as defined in the Department of the Treasury Regulations for the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund, 31 CFR Part 34, publication of Final Rule December 14, 2015 (80 FR 77239).

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Eligible entities may apply to the Council through a two-phase application process. The first part of the application process is the submission of a State Expenditure Plan (SEP), which must be approved by the RESTORE Council Chairperson. The second part of the application process is the submission of grant application materials by the eligible entities for individual projects or programs contained within the approved SEP. State Expenditure Plan Guidelines have been published by the Council and are available at www.restorethegulf.gov. A Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Spill Impact Component was published June 3, 2016 (81 FR 35769 and Grants.gov grant opportunity number GCC-SEP-16-001). Eligible applicants must develop and submit a State Expenditure Plan in accordance with the requirements of 33 U.S.C. 1321(t)(3) for approval by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Chairperson. Projects and programs implemented under an SEP will be required to comply with all environmental and permitting requirements, as applicable.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window).

After submission and approval of an SEP, eligible entities must submit complete application packages to request funding for individual approved projects and programs. The Council’s automated grants management system will be utilized for submission of all grant applications and supporting information. Required application materials are specified in the NOFA published June 3, 2016 (81 FR 35769). The full text of the NOFA and the Council’s Guidelines for Development of State Expenditure Plans are available at www.restorethegulf.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

All projects, programs, and activities must be included in an approved State Expenditure Plan in order to be funded.

Award Procedure

Applications are approved by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

From 60 to 90 days.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Not Applicable. No formal procedure. If an application is unacceptable, the applicant is fully informed and the applicant may revise the application.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of recipients or subrecipients are required to be maintained by the terms of the award. The recipient must retain records for three years from the date when the final financial report is submitted.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Department of the Treasury Regulations for the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund, 31 CFR Part 34, publication date of the Final Rule December 14, 2015 (80 FR 77239). Department of the Treasury Regulations for the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund Final Rule Amending 31 CFR 34.204(a), April 3, 2019 (84 FR 12929). The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Initial Comprehensive Plan, August 2013. The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Comprehensive Plan Update 2016, December 2016. The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Comprehensive Plan Update 2022, September 2022. 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council RESTORE Act Oil Spill Component Planning Allocation Final Rule, 40 CFR Part 1800, January 13, 2015 (80 FR 1584). RESTORE Act Spill Impact Component Allocation Final Rule, 40 CFR 1800, publication date December 15, 2015 (80 FR 77580) and effective date April 12, 2016 (81 FR 21478).

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: