ODNR Office of Coastal Management - Grants


Logo: Ohio Coastal Management Program

Office of Coastal Management
105 West Shoreline Drive
Sandusky, OH 44870
419-626-7980
1-888-OhioCMP
Fax: 419-626-7983
coastal@dnr.state.oh.us

Website Inquiries
 Photo: American Water Lotus bloom
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of water, having an open connection with the Great Lake or ocean, where freshwater from an inland river is mixed with water from the Great Lake or ocean.

Estuaries represent one of the most sensitive and ecologically important habitats on earth. They provide sanctuary for many species of waterfowl, store nutrients for larval and juvenile marine life, and serve as breeding grounds for many desirable species of ocean fish and can provide excellent harbors.
Learn More:

Erie County estuary

Program for

Coastal & Estuarine Land Conservation

Plan  |  Project Selections  |  Ohio CELCP Projects factsheet
Download Grant Factsheet | Download FY2012 application as example for future years.
The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) helps protect coastal and estuarine lands considered important for their ecological, conservation, recreational, historical or aesthetic value or that are threatened by conversion from a natural or recreational state to other uses.
  • This grant program provides federal funding for the purchase of significant coastal and estuarine lands within Ohio’s Lake Erie Watershed, or conservation easements on such lands, from willing sellers. The goal of the program is to fund projects that ensure conservation of these lands for the benefit of future generations, and that can be effectively managed and protected.

  • Those eligible to apply for grants are:
    • Local governments and state agencies, as defined in15 CFR 24.3
    • Entities eligible for assistance under section 306A(e) of the CZMA (16 USC 1455a(e))

  • Applicants must provide at least 50 percent of the total project costs as nonfederal match (also referred to as a 1:1 match).

  • Up to three projects, each with a maximum request of $3 million, are referred by the state of Ohio to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for final consideration and funding.

  • Grants funded under the CELCP require a 1 to 1 match from non-federal sources.

  • Ohio's CELCP Coordinator will meet with interested applicants.

  • A state's eligibility for federal CELCP funding is contingent upon the state's development of a plan for conservation of remaining open and natural areas. Through the Ohio Coastal Management Program, the Office of Coastal Management created such a plan for Ohio which was approved in 2010.



Ohio's CELCP Plan


Ohio's Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program Plan was developed according to NOAA federal guidelines (PDF).

Public involvement was critical in developing Ohio's Plan. Public meetings provided a forum for discussion about priority areas for conservation within the Lake Erie watershed, including conservation needs, threats and values. Participants contributed information on existing conservation plans and focus areas.

Ohio's CELCP Plan was approved by NOAA in August 2010 (read approval letter). The final approved CELCP Plan can be downloaded by selecting the appropriate links below.


Map: Ohio's Lake Erie Watershed and designated CMA boundary CELCP Figure 1 – Ohio Lake Erie Watershed (10.8 MB PDF)

Lake Erie Watershed Identification in Ohio and Ohio's designated Coastal Management Area boundary.



MAP: CELCP Figure 2 - Watershed Planning Areas. CELCP Figure 2 – Geographic Locations (3.04 MB PDF)

Geographic Locations of Selected Lands including State Scenic Rivers, the designated Coastal Management Area, small tributaries and coastal counties.  (Figure 2 legend)


MAP: CELCP Figure 3: Ohio Lake Erie Watershed Conservation (2.66 MB pdf)CELCP Figure 3 – Watershed Planning Areas (420 KB PDF)

Watershed and Focus Areas Indentified on map which also shows Ohio's Lake Erie Watershed boundary, county boundaries and the designated Coastal Management Area.


CLECP Figure 4: Ohio Lake Erie Watershed Conservation Portfolio (1.08 MB pdf) CELCP Figure 4 – Ohio Lake Erie Watershed Conservation Portfolio (1.08 MB PDF)

A map from The Nature Conservancy showing various portfolio features including priority streams, major streams, portfolio sites, conservation properties and TNC preserves.



Learn More:

Contact CELCP Project Coordinator Yetty Alley (yetty.alley@dnr.state.oh.us) at the ODNR Office of Coastal Management 419-626-7980.