Cooperative Assistance Programs                         (State, Federal & Regional Governments)

(Federal, State & Regional Governments Only)

The Cooperative Assistance Program is a grant program established by the Florida Legislature and the District for the purpose of financially cooperating with federal, state and regional governments to alleviate problems associated with the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and associated waterways within the District. The program is authorized by Section 374.976, Florida Statutes, and is administered under the provisions of Chapter 66B-1, Florida Administrative Code.

Eligible federal, state and regional governmental agencies seeking to develop waterway improvement projects within the twelve counties of the District (Miami-Dade to Nassau Counties) can apply for funding assistance. Grant application package will be available on the District's website in January. Applications are due at the District office toward the end of March. Please see application package for specific deadline dates. Funding is awarded in October.

Applications are initially reviewed by District staff for compliance with District rules. If the application is in compliance, the applicant presents their application to the District's Board of Commissioners. The Board then evaluates the application for funding which is subject to statutory and budget limitations. For those projects which are approved for funding by the District Board, assistance funds become available on October 1st.

Waterway related projects must be located on natural, navigable waterways within the District. Eligible waterway related projects include the following:
1.  Public navigation channel dredging.
2.  Public navigation aids & markers.
3.  Inlet management projects that are a benefit to public navigation in the District.
4.  Public shoreline stabilization directly benefiting the District’s waterway channels. (ICW or OWW)
5.  Acquisition and development of publicly owned spoil disposal sites & public commercial/industrial waterway access
6.  Waterway signs & buoys for safety, regulation or information.
7.  Acquisition, dredging, shoreline stabilization and development of public boat ramps and launching facilities;
8.  Acquisition, dredging, shoreline stabilization and development of public boat docking and mooring facilities;
9.  Derelict vessel removal
10. Waterway related environmental education programs & facilities
11. Public fishing & viewing piers
12. Public waterfront parks and boardwalks and associated improvements
13. Maritime Management Planning
14. Waterway boating safety programs & equipment
15. Beach renourishment on beaches adversely impacted by navigation inlets, navigation structures, navigation dredging, or a navigation project
16. Environmental restoration, enhancement or mitigation projects
17. Other waterway related projects.

There is no limitation on the amount funding that may be requested. The District is authorized to provide up to 75% for certain types of public navigation dredging projects while all other project categories are eligible for up to 50% funding assistance. Annually the District allocates approximately $1 million-$4 million for the program. Cash and other grant funds may be utilized as the local match.