Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continually works with local governments to preserve and protect Florida’s environment. Listed below are programs that assist local governments in achieving their environmental goals. Some programs include grants and loans that are offered through DEP.

Beach Warning Flags
The safety and enjoyment of Florida’s public beaches is affected by changes in tide and surf conditions. To minimize the risks of drowning or serious injury, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has worked with local and national organizations to develop a uniform warning flag program. As funds are available, the warning flags and interpretive signs are provided free of charge to local governments that provide public beach access.
Clean Vessel Act Grant Program
The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) of 1992 was signed into law to reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges, prohibiting the discharge of raw sewage into fresh water or within coastal salt-water limits. The act established a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which to date has awarded nearly $150 million for states to install thousands of sewage pumpout stations. The program, housed within DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives, provides grants for construction and installation of sewage pumpout facilities and purchase of pumpout boats and educational programs for boaters.
Florida Coastal Management Program Grants
The Florida Coastal Management Program is designed to support innovative local-level coastal management projects in four program areas including public access, remarkable coastal places, working waterfronts and community stewardship. Projects can be extremely diverse, ranging from dune revegetation to citizen water quality monitoring efforts to community-wide waterfront revitalization projects.
Innovative Recycling Grants
The Innovative Recycling/Waste Reduction Grants are available for funding innovative projects that focus on recycling or reducing the volume of municipal solid waste. To be eligible entities must have legal responsibility for the provision of solid waste management services, which may include counties, cities, special districts and nonprofit organizations.
Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
The Land and Water Conservation Fund program provides matching grants to states and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The program is intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of high quality recreation areas and facilities and to stimulate non-federal investments in the protection and maintenance of recreation resources across the United States.
Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP)
The Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to local governments for development or acquisition of land for public outdoor recreational purposes. All county governments and municipalities in Florida and other legally constituted local governmental entities with the legal responsibility for the provision of outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the use and benefit of the public are eligible.
Solid Waste Grants
The Small County Consolidating Grant is awarded to counties with a population fewer than 100,000. It allows the county to be reimbursed for activities relating to solid waste including recycling, litter control and waste hires.
Water & Wastewater Operator Certification
Florida Statutes require anyone who operates a drinking water treatment plant or a domestic wastewater treatment plant in Florida to be licensed by the Department of Environmental Protection. To qualify for licensure an applicant must meet minimum educational and work experience requirements for each class of license and earn a passing score on the exam for the type and level license desired by the applicant.
Water Facilities Funding
Grant and Loan Funds are available for construction of drinking water, waste water, stormwater and nonpoint source facilities. There are certain criteria counties must meet to qualify for the loans and grants.

Resources for Citizens Educators Businesses Government Public Notices Contact Us Subscribe to DEP News & Info Email Address Unless indicated, documents on this Web site are Adobe Acrobat files, and require the free reader software.	Government Resources The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continually works with local governments to preserve and protect Florida’s environment. Listed below are programs that assist local governments in achieving their environmental goals. Some programs include grants and loans that are offered through DEP. Beach Warning Flags The safety and enjoyment of Florida’s public beaches is affected by changes in tide and surf conditions. To minimize the risks of drowning or serious injury, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has worked with local and national organizations to develop a uniform warning flag program. As funds are available, the warning flags and interpretive signs are provided free of charge to local governments that provide public beach access. Clean Vessel Act Grant Program The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) of 1992 was signed into law to reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges, prohibiting the discharge of raw sewage into fresh water or within coastal salt-water limits. The act established a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which to date has awarded nearly $150 million for states to install thousands of sewage pumpout stations. The program, housed within DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives, provides grants for construction and installation of sewage pumpout facilities and purchase of pumpout boats and educational programs for boaters. Florida Coastal Management Program Grants The Florida Coastal Management Program is designed to support innovative local-level coastal management projects in four program areas including public access, remarkable coastal places, working waterfronts and community stewardship. Projects can be extremely diverse, ranging from dune revegetation to citizen water quality monitoring efforts to community-wide waterfront revitalization projects. Innovative Recycling Grants The Innovative Recycling/Waste Reduction Grants are available for funding innovative projects that focus on recycling or reducing the volume of municipal solid waste. To be eligible entities must have legal responsibility for the provision of solid waste management services, which may include counties, cities, special districts and nonprofit organizations. Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) The Land and Water Conservation Fund program provides matching grants to states and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The program is intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of high quality recreation areas and facilities and to stimulate non-federal investments in the protection and maintenance of recreation resources across the United States. Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) The Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to local governments for development or acquisition of land for public outdoor recreational purposes. All county governments and municipalities in Florida and other legally constituted local governmental entities with the legal responsibility for the provision of outdoor recreational sites and facilities for the use and benefit of the public are eligible. Solid Waste Grants The Small County Consolidating Grant is awarded to counties with a population fewer than 100,000. It allows the county to be reimbursed for activities relating to solid waste including recycling, litter control and waste hires. Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Florida Statutes require anyone who operates a drinking water treatment plant or a domestic wastewater treatment plant in Florida to be licensed by the Department of Environmental Protection. To qualify for licensure an applicant must meet minimum educational and work experience requirements for each class of license and earn a passing score on the exam for the type and level license desired by the applicant. Water Facilities Funding Grant and Loan Funds are available for construction of drinking water, waste water, stormwater and nonpoint source facilities. There are certain criteria counties must meet to qualify for the loans and grants. Last updated: January 24, 2011
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