Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 391-2 - COASTAL RESOURCES
Subject 391-2-5 - COASTAL INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Rule 391-2-5-.13 - Application Review Process

Applications must be submitted with a profile form, proposal, other required forms, and supporting documentation as described in the detailed CIG application instructions located on the DNR-CRD website.

Pre-Application Process: Following the submittal of the Pre-Application, the CZM Grants Specialist will schedule the Pre-Application Review Team, which may be comprised of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Technical Assistance staff; the CZM Program Manager; and GADNR-CRD Habitat, Fisheries, Shellfish, and/or Education and Outreach staff. The Team will review and competitively rank the pre-applications based on 1) applicability to the GCMP mission, goals, and policies, 2) a demonstrated coastal management need, 3) clear project goals, 4) budget soundness, 5) an applicant's past performance, and 6) relationship to other federal funding. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

Full Application Process: Upon selection of the pre-applications, the CZM Grants Specialist will schedule the CIG Technical Review Committee, which is comprised of five (5) coastal community professionals from the following fields: state resource management, local government, non-governmental organization, academia, and citizen-at-large. The Committee will review and preliminarily score the applications based on the criteria provided in Sections 391-2-5-.17 and 391-2-5-.18. The Committee will consider the applications in a roundtable forum from highest to lowest preliminary score. After careful consideration, final ranking will be determined by consensus. Full applications that are recommended for funding by the Committee will be included in the DNR application for annual funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GCMP CZM Grant. NOAA makes the final review and approval of all CIG sub-grants. All applicants will be notified of the Committee's recommendation by April 25, 2025. All applicants will be notified of final NOAA approval by August 29, 2025.

Late, incomplete, and ineligible pre- and full applications will be returned to the applicant. Unsuccessful applicants may contact the CZM Grants Specialist within 30 days of pre- or full application notification to discuss reason(s) for denial.

O.C.G.A. §§ 12-5-323, 28-5-122.