Coastal impact assistance projects needed

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Alaska’s Division of Coastal and Ocean Management is soliciting projects for inclusion in the state’s Coastal Impact Assistance Program plan, DCOM said March 6. Projects included in the plan qualify for funding from the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, a federal program established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and administered by the U.S. Minerals Management Service.

Under the program, MMS allocates $250 million annually in each federal fiscal year 2007 to 2010 among six qualifying states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Mainly because of the $2.7 billion Chukchi Sea lease sale that MMS held in February 2008, Alaska’s fund allocation under the program will increase from about $2.5 million for 2007 and 2008 to between $40.9 million and $56.7 million in 2009 and 2010 — allocation of funds between the participating states depends on the relative amount of OCS revenue generated offshore of each state.

DCOM will hold public meetings via teleconference on March 18 and April 22 to answer questions about the call for proposals. Further information can be obtained from the division at 907-465-3177. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. April 30.

—Alan Bailey