• Bang for the Buck - Does the proposed project represent tangible and measurable expectations of water quality or habitat improvements to the Lake Worth Lagoon and its watershed? Is the requested amount less than $ 750,000?
• Ready to Go - Has the proposed project initiated land acquisitions and local approvals, if necessary, to move forward with the construction phase? (ranking preference will be given towards construction ready projects) If regulatory permits are required, have those permits been received? (Lower consideration will be given for projects that have not yet received necessary permits)
• Local Commitment - Does the proposed project have a commitment from the local sponsor of at least 50/50 cost share (match may be other non-state funding commitments)? Does the sponsor have a record of timely completion? Has the proposed project been reviewed by the entity’s lobbying and management teams?
• Consistency with Lake Worth Lagoon Management Plan - Does the proposed project demonstrate consistency with the goals, action plans, and/or program areas specified in the management plan? 

General Information
The LWLI Legislative Funding Request will be open from May 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026. Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2026. The application form is located on the LWLI website, www.LWLI.org. Application request amounts must not exceed $ 750,000 and must include a 50/50 match (i.e., a $ 750,000 request would provide a $ 750,000 match). All applications must be reviewed by the applicant’s lobbying and management teams prior to submission. Applicants will be expected to provide the Committee a ten (10) minute presentation outlining the merits of the proposed project on August 13th, 2026. After presentations, Committee members may ask questions of the applicant. The Committee will rank the selected projects by a formal vote. A final project list and ranking will be announced at the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative Steering Committee meeting on October 21st, 2026. Subsequently, the ranked project list will be recommended to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners for inclusion into its annual legislative agenda. Each LWLI member entity is also encouraged to adopt and support the LWLI legislative funding request.

​Administrative Process
After final ranking and recommendation to the LWLI Steering Committee, the County will take the lead in development of the appropriation project request forms for the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives. These forms will be shared for review by the applicants and their lobbying teams, after which the County will take the lead on submittal, lobbying efforts and the identification of appropriate legislative project sponsors. Projects will be funded in  order of ranking until all available funds are encumbered. If a ranked project does not receive funding, it can be re-submitted the following year for ranking. Funding becomes available July 1, 2027, and requires each organization to enter into a contractual agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis for project completion. Work conducted prior to July 1, 2027, may not be eligible for  reimbursement. Funded projects, upon request, may be asked to present to the LWLI within 3 years of project implementation.​

• May 1 - July 31, 2026 Application Period
• August 13, 2026 Selection Committee Meeting, Applicant Presentations and Ranking
• October 21, 2026 LWLI Steering Committee Meeting & Announce Project Ranking
  
• July 1, 2027 Funding becomes available, FDEP will issued an agreement with a deadline for funds to be expended (12-24 months typically).​
  ​