AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Coastal Program is seeking applications for a new round of coastal grants for fiscal year 2016.

The grants are for municipal and regional projects in Maine's Coastal Zone.

The two types of available grants covered by this announcement are Coastal Communities Grants and Shore and Harbor Planning Grants. Funding for these technical assistance grants comes from Maine Coastal Program's annual grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as well as the Submerged Lands Program within the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The Coastal Communities grants have a maximum award of $50,000, while the Shore and Harbor grant have a maximum award of $30,000. Those eligible to apply include towns in Maine's coastal zone, groups of towns in Maine's coastal zone; coastal Regional Planning Commissions; and coastal Councils of Government.

Grant applications are due Thursday, May 14, 2015.

Eligible projects must be designed to improve water quality, increase resiliency/adaptation to erosion and flooding, conserve coastal habitat, promote sustainable development, and enhance the coastal-dependent economy while preserving natural coastal resources. This program is designed to address the five priority goals of the Maine Coastal Program:

Ensuring Sustainable, Vibrant Coastal Communities

Improving Coastal Public Access

Addressing the effects of land use activity on water quality

Restoring coastal habitats

Preparing for coastal storms, erosion and flooding, coastal hazards

Shore and Harbor Planning Grants

Shore and Harbor Technical Assistance Grants promote sound waterfront planning and harbor management, balanced development of shore and harbor areas, advance planning for waterfront infrastructure improvements and access to the shore.

Funds may be used for development of plans for waterfront, harbor, and mooring areas; development of regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to waterfront conservation and improvement; development of planning studies for public and working access; development of plans and designs for harbor improvements; and development of management plans for municipal waterfront facilities.

The Maine Coastal Program

Created in 1978, the Maine Coastal Program is a federal, state, local partnership under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and one of 34 coastal programs nationwide.

Maine's program is a collaborative program that works in partnership with other state agencies, municipalities, regional and other organizations, with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry serving as the lead agency. The Maine Coastal Program works with its partners toward a healthy coast and vibrant coastal communities.

The Maine Coastal Program FY16 Grant Program Statement can be found at www.maine.gov/dacf/municipalplanning/financial_assistance.shtml.

More information about the Maine Coastal Program can be found at www.maine.gov/dacf/mcp/index.htm.