CIAP
Coastal Impact Assistance Program
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The Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) was authorized by Section 384 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, to assist coastal producing states and their political subdivisions (parishes, counties, and boroughs) in mitigating the impacts from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas production. Louisiana is one of the seven coastal states selected to receive funds under this appropriation to implement this program.
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The CIAP legislation appropriated $250 million per year for Fiscal Years 2007 through 2010 to be distributed among eligible producing States (States) and their CPSs. Allocations to each State will be based on the ratio of qualified OCS revenues offshore of that State to the total qualified OCS revenues from all States.
To receive CIAP funds, States must submit a Coastal Impact Assistance Plan (Plan), describing how these funds will be expended, to the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS). The MMS must approve that Plan before disbursing any CIAP funds to a State and its CPSs. The CIAP provision of the Act, established by amending Section 31.d.1. of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1356 a.), listed five categories of authorized uses of CIAP funds. Thus, a State or CPS can use CIAP funds only for one or more of the following purposes:
1. Projects and activities for the conservation, protection, or restoration of coastal areas, including wetlands;
2. Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources;
3. Planning assistance and the administrative costs of complying with CIAP;
4. Implementation of a Federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan; and
5. Mitigation of the impact of OCS activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects and public service needs.
Louisiana is one of six States currently eligible to receive CIAP funds. Funds received by Louisiana and its CPSs, which consist of 19 coastal parishes, will be expended according to the requirements of the Act and the CIAP guidelines developed by MMS.
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