Have you been trying to understand the Coastal Impact Assistance Program we hear so much about? This will likely be the source of funding for the required comprehensive impact study for the mouth of the San Bernard River. The funds would first come to Brazoria County, and the County will hopefully grant enough to pay for the study.

Below is an explanation of the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, provided by Texas General Land Office. Take a look also at some of the competition for these funds, and the authorities that will disburse it.

Energy Policy Act of 2005:
On August 8, 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6), a massive bill intended to strengthen U.S. energy production. The Act contains several provisions of particular importance to coastal resource management.The Act amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to provide for the disbursement of $250 million each year from 2007 through 2010 to six oil producing states (Alabama, Alaska, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) and their respective coastal political subdivisions. Minerals Management Service (MMS) will be the federal administering agency.

Texas is expected to receive approximately $60 million per fiscal year in CIAP funding from 2007 to 2010. Sixty-five percent (~$39 million) will be awarded to the state. Thirty-five percent (~$21 million) will be awarded to the 18 coastal counties. The amounts to be awarded in fiscal year 2007 and 2008 will be determined by Outer Continental Shelf revenues for fiscal year 2006.The amounts to be awarded in fiscal year 2009 and 2010 will be determined by Outer Continental Shelf revenues for fiscal year 2008.

County Allocation:
The allocation to each coastal county is based on the following formula:
–25 percent is based on the county’s population.
–25 percent is based on the length of the county’s coastline.
–50 percent is based on the relative distance of the county to any OCS leased tract.

MMS will do the calculating after fiscal 2006 and 2008 revenues are determined.

CIAP funds can only be used for one or more of the following purposes:
1. Projects and activities for the conservation, protection, or restoration of coastal areas, including wetlands.
2. Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources; planning assistance and administrative costs.
3. Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan.
4. Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects and public service needs.(Limited to 23 percent per fiscal year.)

Texas CIAP Plan:
No later than July 1, 2008, the Governor must submit to MMS a Texas coastal impact assistance plan. The plan must:
–identify the state agency that will have the authority to represent and act on behalf of Texas;
–describe how state and county CIAP funds will be used;
–describe measures that will be taken to determine the availability of assistance from other relevant federal resources and programs; and
–certify that all projects are consistent with CMP and CIAP regulations.

In January 2006, Governor Perry designated the Governor’s Office as the lead agency for the Texas CIAP program. The Governor’s Office will have final approval for all state projects.The General Land Office was designated as the CIAP administering agency.

Coastal Land Advisory Board
The Governor also established the Coastal Land Advisory Board (Advisory Board) to draft the state plan. The Advisory Board is comprised of three members:
--Commissioner Jerry Patterson (chairman), General Land Office;
--Commissioner Elizabeth Jones, Texas Railroad Commission; and
--Commissioner John Johnson, Texas Department of Transportation.

MMS Guidance Document
MMS will not issue its guidance document until March 2006. At that time, there will be a 30-day comment period during which the GLO will solicit public comment.

The draft guidance document will be posted on the GLO website and provided to each county point of contact.

Although MMS has not issued its guidance document, the following types of projects were approved for funding under the 2001 CIAP program.

Note: The MMS is the Minerals Management Service, the federal administering agency for the program
MMS Link

Habitat Conservation and Restoration
Acquisition of land (including wetlands) for conservation purposes
•Habitat restoration & enhancement•Control, prevention, or removal of exotic species
•Aiding in the recovery of endangered species
•Reintroduction of native species (plants, fish stocking)
•Enforcement of environmental regulations•Creation of artificial reef & oyster reef habitats
•Wetlands restoration & marsh creation

Erosion Control and Shoreline Stabilization
•Beach nourishment•Levee repair
•River bank stabilization or restoration
•Breakwaters
•Dune enhancement

Coastal Access Improvements
•Trail construction/improvements, campgrounds
•Public boat ramps/fishing piers (new and upgraded facilities)
•Park construction & renovation, walkways, restroom and parking facilities

Data Collection and Research
•Environmental Monitoring
•Assessments (damage to resources, watersheds)•Studies

Infrastructure and Public Works **
•Storm water or sewage treatment plants
•Access roads and bridges
•Construction of facilities
** Limited to 23 percent per fiscal year

Waste and Debris Removal
•Hazardous waste collection events
•Removal of derelict vessels, pilings, dilapidated buildings and piers
•Marine debris removal
•Oil spill response

Planning and Management Tools
•Engineering/feasibility studies
•Obtaining permits
•Mapping•Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
•Watershed/water quality
•Recovery & restoration
•Air quality modeling•Economic studies

For questions on CIAP
Kathy Smartt
Phone (512) 475-1552
Email: Kathy.Smartt@GLO.state.tx.us

Resource:
Texas GLO Slideshow on 2005 Coastal Impact Assistance Program