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Commercial and Charter Vessel Access Grants

 

LDWF will provide grants up to $500,000 to eligible public and private entities interested in constructing new facilities or making improvements to existing facilities impacted by the 2019 freshwater flooding.  Funds for this program are part of LDWF’s $58 million flood disaster funding allocated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

contact
For more info, contact  Oversight Programs via email or at 225.765.3980.

Applicant Eligibility                               

Any governmental entity, public entity, private organization or private company can apply for this program.   LDWF will accept applications beginning on April 1, 2024 and ending on May 15, 2024.  To access the online application submission form, please visit https://fs30.formsite.com/Jfroeba/pdpzur68ir/index.

Applicants must own the property or have a lease/land control agreement with at least 20 years remaining post-project completion. If the applicant is a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or partnership, the business must register and remain in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The applicant is responsible for maintaining the project elements for 20 years.

 Project Eligibility

  • Projects must create or improve public access for and the resiliency of commercial fishers or charter fishers during flood events
  • Projects must be located in Louisiana and in a coastal area that was impacted by the 2019 Flood event
  • Projects cannot restrict access to the public
  • Projects may include acquiring new land (if allowed within federal regulations) for facilities; however, the project must also include the facility (i.e., land cannot be purchased for future development)
  • The project may include building new facilities or acquiring, renovating, or improving existing facilities
  • ‘Facilities’ include auxiliary structures necessary to ensure safe use of access areas
  • Projects may include work that improves public access or water suitability for commercial and charter vessels, such as channel dredging.

 Project Funding

Applicants will receive reimbursement for eligible expenses, with planning/design costs limited to 10% of the construction budget.  Reimbursement requests must be submitted electronically to LDWF. Requests must not be less than $5,000 and should include the total reimbursement request along with copies of itemized invoices detailing the expenses.  LDWF will hold the final payment until the applicant provides a Certificate of Substantial Completion, the Clear Lien Certificate and an on-site visit is complete.

Application and Required Documents

 Applicants will be required to apply with the following documentation: 

  • Project Title, Sponsor Name (i.e., applicant) and Contact Information
  • Project Location Maps and Drawings
  • Proof of Ownership (title or a lease/land control agreement with at least 20 years remaining post-project completion)
  • Project Statement
    • NEED: Explain why the project is necessary and how it will provide protection or resiliency against future flood events. This section should also include information regarding the fishing and boating pressure relative to the site or area.
    • USE: Number of vessels currently using your facility on a daily basis. Expected number of vessels using your facility on a daily basis after the proposed improvements are made.
    • OBJECTIVES: Identify specific, measurable, attainable, and relevant objectives for the project.
    • EXPECTED RESULTS AND BENEFITS: Describe the expected results and benefits from accomplishing the objectives.
    • APPROACH: Describe the approach to meet the objectives, including a timeline of significant milestones.
  • Budget Narrative – Provide details regarding the allocation of funds for the project. (Note: planning costs are limited to no more than 10% of the construction budget)
  • Resolution – A document approved by the governing entity of an organization or the owner(s) of a business authorizing a designated representative to apply and administer grant funds on behalf of the applicant. The document must include a 20-year agreement for the maintenance and operation of the project.

Project Evaluation and Monitoring

An evaluation committee comprised of five (5) members from the Office of Fisheries will evaluate applications to determine the most beneficial and cost-effective projects. The committee will disqualify applications if they do not meet the eligibility requirements or do not include the required application document. Each project will receive a score based on a set of criteria.

The committee will rank projects based on the score and will assign funding starting with the highest-ranked project and work down the list until all funding is obligated. If the committee assigns the same score to multiple projects, they will rank those projects by the funding request amount. The lowest funding request amount will be ranked the highest among the projects with matching scores. This tiebreaker is intended to maximize the number of projects funded under this program. If an applicant withdraws a project after the selection process, the committee will choose the next application in order of rank.

LDWF will notify applicants once project selections have been finalized and a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) will be drafted for each project. Upon execution of the CEA, the applicant can begin the project. Costs incurred prior to the CEA agreement are not eligible for reimbursement unless authorized explicitly by LDWF. The applicant is responsible for administering the entire project, which includes securing a United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) ‘404 permit’ or clearance, a Louisiana Coastal Use Permit and any other required permits. The applicant is required to secure three (3) bids for construction and provide the bids to LDWF for review prior to awarding the contract.

The applicant is responsible for maintaining control of the property and maintaining the project for its intended purpose for 20 years. The project shall be recorded on the property title through the Clerk of Court. If the applicant sells or transfers the property, the maintenance requirements remain with the property and are the new owner's responsibility.

LDWF may require an on-site visit to determine the suitability of the project location and its applicability. LDWF will make on-site inspections during the construction phase based on staff availability and will make a final post-construction inspection post.

Program Documents