[SEMCO] 2000 DEM Coastal Access Grants Program

[Sheri D. Derosa]

Announcing…

"The Millennium (2000) Coastal Access Grants Program"

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will
again award grants as part of its Coastal Access Program to support
local and regional projects that improve and enhance the general
public's recreational access to the coast. The program's focus is on
non-mechanized access for the general public, as opposed to only local
residents or deeded private access. The "coast" is generally
characterized as the shoreline in direct contact with the open sea plus
the major bays, sounds, and harbors (although projects targeting
saltwater estuaries and salt marshes will also be considered). In
addition, the program generally focuses on public access to and along
the coastline rather than boat access to the water.

Principal categories of funding include:

1. establishing new public coastal access opportunities
2. developing plans for design and management of public coastal
properties
3. reclaiming historically public ways to the sea
4. enhancing or restoring existing access points and facilities
5. developing public coastal access interpretive and educational
initiatives

Eligible Applicants: Massachusetts cities and towns, regional planning
agencies, and nonprofit organizations are all eligible for grant
funding. Grant recipients from previous years are encouraged to apply
again with the knowledge that priority is generally given to projects
and organizations not funded in the past (all other things being equal).

Awards: Individual grant awards are $1,000 - $5,000. Matching funds or
in-kind services are not required but are strongly encouraged.

Special Focus:  As the "challenge" this year to DEM's various partners,
the grants program has a special focus on projects in geographic or
programmatic areas that are the focus of direct initiatives by DEM's
Coastal Access Program. Individual grants awards for projects in these
areas are up to $10,000. Matching funds or in-kind services are strongly
encouraged but not required.

Deadlines:
-SIX (6) copes of your application must be received by 5:00 p.m.,
November 12, 1999. Faxed copies are not acceptable, due to the need for
original signatures, photographs, etc.
-Grant awards are intended to be announced in late December 1999.
-Final reports for funded projects are due by Friday, October 27, 2000.

For additional information, including Project Selection Criteria and
Additional Guidelines, Project Types, and Application Procedures,
contact:

Geordie Vining
Coastal Access Planner
Department of Environmental Management
100 Cambridge Street, Room 1404
Boston, MA 02202
(617) 626-1398
(617) 626-1349-Fax
geordie.vining@state.ma.us
http://www.state.ma.us/dem/programs/coastal/coastal.htm