Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Oil Spill Impact Program
Relevant Nonprofit Program Categories
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The intent of this program is to disburse 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 a 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 Initial Comprehensive Plan ("Comprehensive Plan"), August 2013, and be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
States may select sub-recipients 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 23, publication, date TBD.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The five Gulf Coast States or their administrative agents, as defined in 33 U.S.C.
1321(a)(34): 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).
Beneficiary Eligibility
The principal beneficiaries are the people, wildlife, economy/businesses and natural resources of the Gulf Coast region.
Credentials/Documentation
2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, (December 26, 2013), applies to this program.
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Initial Comprehensive Plan, August 2013, applies to this program.
Department of the Treasury Regulations for the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund, 31 CFR Part 23, publication date of the Interim Final Rule August 15, 2014 (79 FR 48039); (publication date of the Final Rule TBD) applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Prior to submitting applications for grant applications for projects, an eligible entity must submit a State Expenditure Plan.
State Expenditure Plan Guidelines will be published followed by a Request for Applications (RFA) for Planning Assistance and a subsequent RFA for State Expenditure Plan applications.
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.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Projects will be required to comply with all environmental and permitting requirements, if applicable, based on the fact that NEPA decisions have not been finalized by the Council yet.
An environmental impact statement is required for this program.
An environmental impact assessment is required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Eligible entities may submit a request for planning assistance to develop a State Expenditure Plan upon publication of the RESTORE Council Interim Final Rule by submitting an SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and Form SF-424A (Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs), and other documents as specified in the RFA. After approval of the State Expenditure Plan eligible entities must submit a complete application package to request funding for approved projects. This package includes an SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and Form SF-424A (Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs), if the project is non-construction related, OR a form SF-424C (Budget Information-Construction Programs) if the project is construction-related for each project or program, and other documents as specified by the RFA.
Award Procedures
Applications are approved by the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States (RESTORE) Act of 2012, Title 33, Part 1321(t)(3), Section 1603(3), Public Law 112-141, 126 Stat. 588, 33 U.S.C 1321(t)(2).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 30 to 60 days.
Appeals
No formal procedure. If an application is unacceptable, the applicant is fully informed and the applicant may revise the application.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements. The statutory formula for this program applies to the allocation of the funds available under the Spill Impact Component. Once the amount of the allocation has been determined, no further allocation formula is applied with respect to the development of the State Expenditure Plan.
Matching Requirements are not applicable to this program.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
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.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Individual awards will specify if and when program reports are required.
Individual awards will specify if and when cash reports are required.
Progress reports are required semi-annually, unless the risk assessment of the applicant and/or sub-applicant indicate that more frequent reports are required.
Financial status reports are required semi-annually, unless the risk assessment of the applicant and/or sub-applicant indicate that more frequent reports are required.
Individual awards and risk assessments will specify performance monitoring requirements.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of Subpart F, Audit Requirements, of 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, (December 26, 2013), non-Federal entities expending $750,000 or more during the non-Federal entity s fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of the regulation.
Records
All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of recipients or sub-recipients 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 expenditure report is submitted.
Financial Information
Account Identification
95-1770-0-1-452.
Obigations
(Project Grants (for specified projects)) FY 13 $0; FY 14 est $0; and FY 15 est $240,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
No data available.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Department of the Treasury Regulations for the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund, 31 CFR Part 23, publication date of the Interim Final Rule August 15, 2014 (79 FR 48039); (publication date of the Final Rule TBD).
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Initial Comprehensive Plan, August 2013
2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, (December 26, 2013)
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council RESTORE Act Oil Spill Component Interim Final Rule, 40 CFR Part 1800, August 22, 2014; Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Final Rule, publication date to be determined.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Mary C Pleffner c/o Dept of Commerce, International Trade Administration
423 Canal Street, Suite 419
, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 Email: mary.pleffner@RestoretheGulf.gov Phone: 813 995-2025
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
All applications for projects, programs, and activities must be included in the approved State Expenditure Plan in order to be funded.
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