Unlocking state and federal grant funds to achieve coastal resiliency goals

In many cases, the coastal communities most at risk have limited funding and resources to plan and implement effective resiliency projects. Realizing the threats and what is at stake, the state and federal governments have recently committed over $50 billion in funds for coastal resiliency.

These funds will be rolled out through numerous large-scale grant program initiatives aimed at readying coastal communities for these unprecedented times. Grant funds are distributed via competitive grant programs through various state natural resource agencies. These agencies and grant programs have differing priorities, timelines, and award amounts. Tracking and understanding these evolving programs is cumbersome at best. Writing a successful grant application can also be extremely challenging and takes significant effort and skill.    

State programs

• California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)
• Ocean Protection Council (OPC)
• Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB)
• State Coastal Conservancy (SCC)

Federal programs

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• National Fish & Wildlife Federation (NFWF)

At GHD, we have a multi-disciplinary and geographically diverse team dedicated to navigating these funding programs to help bring funding to the coastal communities that need it most. In this article, you will learn how to unlock funding by developing multi-benefit projects and stakeholder partnerships to achieve your community’s coastal resiliency goals. Practical guidance is included, followed by examples where this approach helped to secure grant funds for coastal resiliency projects in California. This information can help increase your opportunities and maximize funding potential for coastal resiliency projects.

The first step is to assess and identify the community's vulnerability and resiliency needs – these areas are most at risk of existing and future coastal hazards. Using anecdotal data from the community or state-wide coastal hazard mapping tools, like the U.S. Geologic Survey’s (USGS’s) Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS), helps to understand what areas are most at risk if a plan has not already been developed.

Also helpful in the assessment is understanding community and infrastructure needs within these vulnerable locations – what other elements are missing from these areas, or what upgrades are needed? These needs could be as simple as replacing an old sewer line to adding mobility improvements to a coastal roadway.

After understanding the vulnerabilities and community or infrastructure needs, it is time to put it all together into a project that achieves multiple wins.

It is difficult to grant/obtain funding for a project that addresses just one problem, such as a localized flooding issue. State and federal grant programs are geared towards funding projects that provide multiple benefits while also achieving the primary goal of coastal resiliency/flood reduction through a planning horizon year. Other “wins” that resource agencies and funders like to see incorporated into projects include habitat restoration, carbon sequestration, passive and active recreational features (e.g. coastal trails, interpretive areas), improved or enhanced coastal access, and mobility improvements (e.g. complete streets).

Our multi-disciplinary teams of engineers, architects and scientists are passionate about creating these types of projects. Examples include; utilizing an abandoned railroad prism to create a living levee and pedestrian trail to restore historical salt marsh habitat, reduce wave erosion and flooding, enhance recreational opportunities and safety along a vulnerable highway; relocating historical levees to achieve flood reduction benefits, enhancing agricultural resiliency, and salt marsh restoration; and restoring dune habitat to protect a local roadway while enhancing public access.

Once a multi-benefit project is defined for a vulnerable area, the next step is identifying the right funding agency or agencies. The agency fit depends on the project type and elements proposed. Most funding agencies are structured to prioritize particular issues, and their purpose is to find ways to deliver changes within their area of focus. Understanding the purpose and priorities of those potential funding agencies is vital in creating a proposal that sells your idea and helps the funding agency meet its goals. Unfortunately, funding applications sometimes fail due to generic proposals that do not align with the funding agency's priorities.

Look for other priorities the project may align with. For instance, the State of California and other jurisdictions value coastal resiliency projects that apply nature-based solutions or green infrastructure. Funding agencies generally recognize that some "gray" infrastructure, such as riprap or a concrete seawall, is sometimes necessary. However, projects that restore natural systems to serve a similar level of defence that can adapt to climate change and accommodate natural processes should be at the forefront of project development. The project may also need to be modified (what combination of project components to include) to fit a specific funding opportunity. Identifying the right combination of project components to be competitive for grant funding, while also being permittable and constructable, is essential.

Once you have determined the wide range of benefits your project will provide, look for allies who will support those objectives. Grant funding agencies like to fund projects that demonstrate readiness – they want to know that the project they are funding has a high likelihood of success and is supported by the community. Providing letters of support for the project is the best way to prove this.

For example, if the project includes a multi-use trail, a local cycling club might be an ally that could provide a letter of support. Also, identify expertise available in your community, a wildlife society or university, that might provide support and interpretative signage content on the use of the project by sensitive migratory bird species or provide in-kind cost-share for post-construction monitoring. Inclusion and support from diverse allies can help you incorporate input from different perspectives, ultimately increasing community benefits and support. These allies often endorse the project’s co-benefits, increasing competitiveness and community support.

GHD is working closely with many frontline coastal communities to increase their resiliency to sea-level and extreme storm events. Some project examples include: 

The state and federal government's commitment to coastal resiliency is at unprecedented levels. Our highest priority is to understand the risks of inaction and what is at stake for our coastal communities. Given the uncertain economic and political landscape, it is unclear how long these funding commitments will last. The time is now to take advantage of these opportunities. Your communities’ coastal resources are too vital to ignore. Let us help you navigate this complex funding landscape to unlock these funds for your next multi-benefit coastal resiliency project.