3.1   Initiate Project

Develop Project Concept

There are several ways a leasing or ownership project may get started. In Step 2.1 of the Decision Checklist, this toolkit presents the two extremes: 1) opportunistically, or 2) methodically. In either case, a concept of the project should be generated and circulated to appropriate internal organization staff for initial vetting of project appropriateness, applicability, and potential. Limited staff time should be committed to the project at this point. Minimal external discussions may also be warranted. If the project deserves further development, a project lead should be identified. The project lead will usher the project through the remaining steps. Other staff and resources may be conceptually assigned to the project at this time as well.

Ocean and Coastal-Specific Issues: This is the first opportunity to explain to staff, who may not have experience with ocean and coastal acquisitions, new concepts and issues that will need to be addressed. Public Trust Doctrine issues (i.e., public and private rights), contamination possibilities, jurisdictional responsibilities, boundary issues, and other issues related to ocean and coastal sites should be discussed.

Develop Preliminary Proposal

Some organizations may have template documents or information sheets to complete for proposals. A short, rough draft of the project proposal should be developed and circulated internally for review and input as necessary (i.e., to land acquisition, protection, and/or legal staff). Specific information needed in each proposal will be dependent on the site/resources, conservation organization, regulatory agency needs, and land/resource owner requirements. Costs of the project should also be estimated at this time.

The more information organizations can provide agency decision-makers to enable them to complete their version of the preliminary proposal, the better the chance of the project moving forward in an expeditious fashion. Getting a copy of the basic format of an agency’s executive proposal summary may be helpful in this regard.

Seek Preliminary Approval

Preliminary approval should be sought by the organization based on initial estimates of cost, length of commitment, risk, and sensitivity. This is how project proponents make sure the organization supports moving forward with the proposed deal and investing time and resources in the deal.

At a minimum, a review of the following project components should be made during the preliminary approval process:

• Ecological, political, and philanthropic merits of the project;
• Cost estimates; and
• Financial planning and fundraising needs.