Hernando County is accepting applications for Restore Act funding for economic development or environmental projects.

The Restore Act was signed into law in 2012 and assures that 80 percent of the fines and penalties paid after the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill are used to restore the natural resources and economies of gulf coastal communities.

Hernando County has about $686,000 in Restore Act funds to spend.

The deadline to submit a project is 5 p.m., Dec. 5, and specific criteria must be met for a project to qualify. Applications can be submitted through www.hernandocounty.us/restoreact/.