Coastal Zone Management Grant Program

Coastal Zone Management Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Amount: Up to US $75,000
Last Updated: July 18, 2025

Summary

The Coastal Zone Management Grant Program, managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, supports projects that protect coastal resources in Pennsylvania's Delaware Estuary and Lake Erie. Open for applications from September 9, 2024, to October 21, 2024, the program promotes initiatives focused on coastal hazards, public access, and ecological preservation. Eligible applicants include local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits. Grants help fund planning, construction, and research projects essential for sustaining coastal ecosystems and enhancing public access.

Overview

NOTE: CRMP strongly recommends all applicants attend a pre-application meeting to discuss their proposed project details, coastal zone grant application updates and the grants application portal. The FFY 2025 Coastal Zone grant application period will open on September 9, 2024​ and close at 11:59 p.m. on October 21, 2024​. Overview Pennsylvania has two coastal areas: 112 miles of coastline along the Delaware Estuary and 77 miles of coastline along Lake Erie: Delaware Estuary – Lies within Bucks, Philadelphia and Delaware counties. The coastal zone also contains islands, marshes and shorelands of tributary streams that are tidally influenced. The combined facilities of the Delaware Estuary comprise the largest freshwater port in the world.  Lake Erie – Located within Erie County and includes the shorelines of major tributaries. The coastal zone also extends to the middle of the lake, to the boundary with Canada and inland an average of 1.4 miles. The Lake also contains Presque Isle Bay and is one of the state ports for international shipping. In order to safeguard these resources from future adverse impacts, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), developed a unified approach to act as trustee to conserve and maintain the natural resources of Pennsylvania’s coastal regions known as the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP). The CZMP was finalized and approved in September 1980, under the authority of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. DEP’s Compacts and Commissions Office manages the Coastal Resources Management (CRM) Program in the two defined coastal areas within Pennsylvania. As a result of the adopted CZMP, annual grants are provided to DEP by the Office for Coastal Management (OCM), NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce. Grant awards are used to implement the CRM Program and provide a grant-in-aid program if sufficient funds permit. Monies are dispersed to fund projects within the coastal zone and coastal non-point pollution boundaries, such as planning, design, engineering, education, outreach, construction, acquisition and research as authorized by Section 306A of the CZMA, as amended. Coastal Zone Focus Areas Program policies were developed to further the goals and objectives of the CRM Program: Primary Focus Areas Coastal Hazard Areas: Includes Lake Erie bluff recession, shoreline erosion, wave action and coastal flooding, including flooding from projected sea level rise and storm surge.Fisheries Management: Involves activities supporting ecologically and economically important fisheries and their habitats. Wetlands: Involves the protection, enhancement, and creation of coastal wetlands to maintain benefits for wildlife habitat, flood control, water quality, water flow stabilization and environmental diversity (biodiversity). Public access for recreation: : Includes efforts to meet the public need for boating, fishing, birding, walking, picnicking, sightseeing and other recreational pursuits associated with waterfronts.Historic sites and structures: Preservation, restoration and enhancement of coastally significant historic sites and structures within the coastal zones.Port activities: Development and enhancement of coastal port infrastructure.Energy facilities siting: Proper siting of energy-producing facilities to protect fragile coastal ecosystems.Intergovernmental coordination: Includes intergovernmental efforts to protect Pennsylvania’s coastal resources, especially the quality of air and water.Public involvement: Increase awareness, provide information and create opportunities for public participation in a variety of coastal issues. Ocean resources/biodiversity:  Includes efforts directed toward the research, study, and/or management of non-native (invasive) aquatic or terrestrial plant and/or animal species. Activities that protect coastal waters from nonpoint source pollution resulting from marinas and recreational boating, urban activities, hydro-modifications, agriculture and other nonpoint sources are eligible for funding. Project Eligibility CZ grants may be applied to a wide variety of studies, plans, designs, research, acquisition and construction projects pertaining to one or more of the established program policies, which guide the competitive selection process. Examples of some typical project proposals are as follows: Efforts to educate the public regarding issues of environmental protection, non-point source water pollution, protection of coastal resources or efforts to promote such action to the public.  Preparation or revision of local comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, sub-division regulations and special ordinances containing provisions in support of CRM Program policies.  Plans, studies or other projects to improve port facilities and infrastructure, future use of coastal ports or providing public access for recreational use of docks, piers and wharves.  Improving resource management and environmental protection programs at the state or local level, including disseminating information or providing technical assistance to coastal communities and the public. Plans, studies or projects that enhance economic development within the coastal zone, including activities to help economically revitalize under-used coastal and/or port facilities.

Studies for interpretation and enhancement of coastal features and habitats and restoration and preservation of historic coastal sites and structures. 
Land acquisition of coastal properties, including real estate appraisals, to improve or provide for public recreational access or open-space preservation.
Preparation of designs, engineering plans and specifications for coastal recreational sites owned or legally controlled by a ‘government’ applicant. 
Low-cost (defined by NOAA as no more than a total project cost of $400,000) construction projects for recreational access facilities or for rehabilitating significant historic buildings and structures located within the designated coastal zones. *Note: rehabilitation work on buildings and structures should be supported by a structural feasibility study, architectural assessment, engineering plans or similar planning products included as part of the application. If awarded, grantee must wait for NEPA approval from NOAA and notification from DEP.
A $75,000 grant limit is generally imposed on any single project. Applicants with proposals requesting more than $75,000 in grant funding should discuss funding alternatives with CRMP staff before submitting an application.
Project Requirements
Be environmentally sound and consistent with current state, regional, county and local ordinances and plans. Obtain applicable federal, state and local permits and/or approvals for all construction projects before any construction may commence.Obtain concurrence of any municipal government whose approval is required for project implementation, via letter of support or resolution, if the applicant is a non-governmental agency.
Benefit the public at large and may not be for the purpose of private gain, benefit or profits.
Be made available and useful to all members of the general public; therefore cannot be for exclusive use of any particular group of persons.
Be accessible to persons in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Be constructed on public property and open to the public.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Who is eligible?

Local governments – counties and municipalities Area-wide agencies – county and regional planning agencies
State agencies
Educational institutions – school districts, colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning
Conservation districts, port authorities and public authorities
Incorporated nonprofit, including 501(c)(3), organizations that are eligible to receive federal grants.

Where can projects be located? 
Projects must be located entirely within the Coastal Non-Point Pollution Boundary.With rare exception, all construction and acquisition projects must be located entirely within the coastal zone boundary.Matching funds are required on a one to one matching basis; this means that each dollar of CZ funds must be matched by at least one dollar from cash or acceptable non-cash sources, although match provided in excess of the one to one ratio is encouraged.Reimbursable expenses are items that directly related to the project and may be reimbursed through CRM. Types of allowable expenditures include:Salaries and WagesFringe BenefitsTravel expenses - based on the rate used by state agenciesPurchase of materials and suppliesPurchase or use of equipment Use of a consultant or contractorOther items associated with the project

Ineligibility

The following types of projects are not considered eligible project activities:Conventional restroom facilities General recreation and athletic facilities such as playgrounds, ball fields/courts, etc. Roadway design and construction Water and sewer line construction Dredging operations Permit application fees Projects required to fulfill a state or federal permit condition or other regulatory action Expenses Not Reimbursed By CRM Project-related costs incurred prior to the start date of the grant period of performance, generally prior to October 1st of year one of the project term; Project-related costs incurred after the project completion date of the grant agreement period of performance; Costs associated with fund-raising activities; Costs not directly related to performing the CRM-approved project scope of work, except as allowed as ‘in-kind service value’; Costs associated with ‘hospitality’ activities such as food and beverages; Costs associated with the bidding and bonding requirements of the Municipal Planning Code and the Uniform Construction Code; Costs for monuments or memorials; Costs for flagpoles, fountains and other ornamental treatments; and Costs for political and/or lobbying activities.

Note: Other ineligible costs may apply and while many of these items cannot be reimbursed by CRM, they may still be used as match. Please contact central office or the appropriate regional CRM coordinator to verify.