The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continually works
with local governments to preserve and protect Florida’s environment.
Listed below are programs that assist local governments in achieving
their environmental goals. Some programs include grants and loans that
are offered through DEP.
- Beach Warning Flags
The safety and enjoyment of Florida’s public beaches is affected by changes in
tide and surf conditions. To minimize the risks of drowning or serious injury,
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has worked with local and
national organizations to develop a uniform warning flag program. As funds are
available, the warning flags and interpretive signs are provided free of charge
to local governments that provide public beach access.
- Clean
Marina Grant Program
Since 1994, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Law
Enforcement, has been administering the Florida Clean Vessel Act grant program.
Funds are available to applicants whose facilities are located on navigable
fresh or salt-water bodies within the state of Florida who service recreational
vessels. Eligible participants can include public and private operators of
facilities such as boat ramps, marinas, and dock slips that provide public
access.
-
Clean
Vessel Grant Program
The Office of Greenways & Trails works directly with local
communities, developers, private landowners and state and federal
agencies to facilitate the establishment of the statewide system of
greenways and trails. The Office of Greenways & Trails offers three
unique programs that facilitate the establishment and development of
greenways and trails including the Florida Greenways and Trail
Acquisition Program, the Florida Greenways and Trails Designation
Program and the Recreational Trails Program.
- Florida
Coastal Management Program Grants
The Florida Coastal Management Program is designed to support innovative
local-level coastal management projects in four program areas including public
access, remarkable coastal places, working waterfronts and community
stewardship. Projects can be extremely diverse, ranging from dune revegetation
to citizen water quality monitoring efforts to community-wide waterfront
revitalization projects.
- Innovative Recycling Grants
The Innovative Recycling/Waste Reduction Grants are available for funding
innovative projects that focus on recycling or reducing the volume of municipal
solid waste. To be eligible entities must have legal responsibility for the
provision of solid waste management services, which may include counties,
cities, special districts and nonprofit organizations.
- Land & Water
Conservation Fund (LWCF)
The Land and Water Conservation Fund program provides matching grants to states
and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor
recreation areas and facilities. The program is intended to create and maintain
a nationwide legacy of high quality recreation areas and facilities and to
stimulate non-federal investments in the protection and maintenance of
recreation resources across the United States.
- Recreation
Development Assistance Program (FRDAP)
The Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program is a competitive grant
program that provides financial assistance to local governments for development
or acquisition of land for public outdoor recreational purposes. All county
governments and municipalities in Florida and other legally constituted local
governmental entities with the legal responsibility for the provision of outdoor
recreational sites and facilities for the use and benefit of the public are
eligible.
- Solid Waste Grants
The Small County Consolidating Grant is awarded to counties with a population
fewer than 100,000. It allows the county to be reimbursed for activities
relating to solid waste including recycling, litter control and waste hires.
- Water & Wastewater Operator Certification
Florida Statutes require anyone who operates a drinking water treatment plant or
a domestic wastewater treatment plant in Florida to be licensed by the
Department of Environmental Protection. To qualify for licensure an applicant
must meet minimum educational and work experience requirements for each class of
license and earn a passing score on the exam for the type and level license
desired by the applicant.
- Water
Facilities Funding
Grant and Loan Funds are available for construction of drinking water, waste
water, stormwater and nonpoint source facilities. There are certain criteria
counties must meet to qualify for the loans and grants.