Background
The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) was established in 2002 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The primary purpose of the program is to acquire property in coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by conversion from a natural or recreational state to other uses. The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) administers the program, which provides up to $3 million dollars for each eligible project. CELCP funds must be matched equally by non-federal funds.

To participate in the program, the state must develop a plan for administering the CELCP program and setting acquisition priorities. The FCMP submitted a draft CELCP plan in 2006, describing how Florida’s CELCP program supplements and coordinates with the state’s Florida Forever land acquisition program. In November 2008, Florida became the 5th state to have its CELCP plan formally approved by OCRM.

More information on CELCP is available through the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.

NEW! CELCP Update for FY 2009  
The FCMP submitted three projects to the NOAA CELCP review committee in July 2008 for the fiscal year 2009 application cycle. NOAA received 54 proposals from coastal states and in November 2008 released a prioritized list of 46 projects eligible for funding. Florida’s three projects ranked 4th, 17th and 28th:

• Cayo Costa State Park [PDF - 4.33MB]
• Indian River Lagoon - North Brevard [PDF - 25.4MB]
• Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR [PDF - 11.6MB]

CELCP Applications in Prior Years
 
CELCP 2008

In June 2007, the NOAA CELCP review committee identified 44 projects that are eligible for funding in FY 2008 [PDF - 85MB] . Florida’s three projects ranked 11th, 19th and 30th for FY 2008, but were not among those funded in 2008:

• Florida Keys Ecosystem [PDF - 3.8MB]
• Cayo Costa State Park [PDF - 4.78MB]
• Keewaydin Island Conservation Project [PDF - 8.24MB]

CELCP 2007
In FY 2007 [PDF - 23KB] , NOAA funded the top 17 projects of the 41 eligible for funding. Florida’s FY 2007 projects were ranked 25th, 33rd, and 40th: 

• Florida Keys Ecosystem [PDF - 5.3MB]
• Cayo Costa [PDF - 5MB]
• Northeast Florida Blueway [PDF - 5.25MB]

Other information
Comments or questions about CELCP can be directed to Mr. Danny Clayton at Danny.Clayton@dep.state.fl.us or by calling 850-245-2161.