Coastal Communities in WA Threatened by Climate Change Are Eligible for $225 Million in Federal Grants
NOAA’s Climate Ready Coasts initiative will fund habitat restoration, enhanced protection from storms, and marine debris removal
SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, encouraged Washington state, counties, municipalities and Tribes to apply for $225 million in funding opportunities made possible by the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law for coastal resilience projects that restore habitat, enhance coastal zone management and the National Estuarine Reserve System, and remove marine debris.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) this week announced the Climate Ready Coasts initiative to increase coastal resilience by funding landscape-scale habitat restoration, and capacity building for under-resourced coastal communities and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts. It includes seven Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) and three Requests For Applications (RFAs).
These programs are part of a $2.855 billion investment in salmon habitat recovery and coastal resilience investment championed by Senator Cantwell in the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law that was signed into law last year.
All of these funding sources will be available to Washington state’s orca and salmon recovery networks, nonprofit organization, local and state agencies, and Tribal governments to immediately implement habitat restoration and climate resilience projects in communities throughout Puget Sound, the Columbia River System and the coast.
NOAA Coastal Habitat Restoration
Up to $95 million is available for planning and implementation of coastal habitat restoration projects. A total of $85 million will support transformational projects that restore habitat for our nation’s fisheries and protected resources, while also strengthening the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems. An additional $10 million will be available for building capacity for underserved communities to help identify, design and implement new restoration projects.
In Washington state, Community-Based Restoration Program grants have funded more than 250 projects since 1996, such as the Meadowdale Beach Park Estuary Restoration Project in Snohomish County, and the Cathlamet Bay Watershed Connectivity and Tidal Restoration project in the Columbia River Estuary.
- Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants ($85 Million in FY 2022): NOAA will accept proposals for projects estimated between $1 million and $15 million federal cost. The application deadline is September 6, 2022.
- Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities ($10 Million in FY 2022): NOAA will accept proposals for projects estimated to cost between $250,000 and $500,000 federal cost. The application deadline is September 30, 2022.
Up to $40 million is available for projects funded through coastal zone management grants to help address threats of climate change such as rising sea levels, larger-than-usual storm surges, and more frequent, more destructive storms.
The funding will also enable coastal management programs to deliver increased support for communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, including those which have historically been underserved and lack access to resources.
In Washington state, this additional funding could fill the a critical gap of adding technical assistance capacity for under-resourced coastal communities to chart and implement their path to building coastal resiliency.
- Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Grants ($35 Million in FY 2022): Letters of intent are due by July 29, 2022. NOAA will accept proposals for:
- Project engineering, design and planning projects between $200,000 and $500,000.
- Habitat restoration projects between $2 million and $6 million.
- Land conservation projects between $1 million and $4 million over the award period.
- Applicants may propose projects with a federal funding request less than or more than these amounts, up to $6 million.
- Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Capacity Building ($5 Million in FY 2022): Awards up to $450,000 in funding for the life of this three year award. Of that total, up to $150,000 may be awarded in FY2022, an additional $150,000 may be awarded in FY2023, and $150,000 may be awarded in FY2024. The application deadline is July 30, 2022.
NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserves
Up to $15 million is available for habitat conservation and restoration projects funded through National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) grants to advance the climate and resilience priorities of the research reserve system. The funding will also enable research reserves to deliver increased support for communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, including those which have historically been underserved and often lack access to resources, and support diversity and inclusion.
Estuaries are like huge sponges -- absorbing pollutants, silt, and protecting upland areas from crashing waves and soil erosion. In Washington state, estuaries also play an important role in the life cycle of Pacific salmon, enabling young salmon to grow and get strong before they migrate into the open ocean.
In Washington state, the Padilla Bay reserve protects one of the nation's largest eelgrass beds (nearly?8,000 acres),?and?plays a key role in cleaning up Puget Sound waters, acting as a sink to reduce carbon in the atmosphere, as well as supporting salmon, shellfish and other species that rely on healthy estuary habitat.
- National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Habitat Protection and Restoration Grants ($12 Million in FY 2022): Letters of intent are due by July 29, 2022. NOAA will accept from the NERRS designated state lead agency or university proposals with a federal funding levels for:
- Project engineering, design and planning project between $200,000 and $350,000.
- Habitat restoration projects between $2 million and $4 million.
- Land conservation projects between $500,000 and $1.5 million over the award period.
- Applicants may propose projects with a federal funding request less than or more than these amounts, up to $4 million.
- National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Habitat Protection and Restoration Capacity Building ($3 Million in FY 2022): The NERRS designated state lead agency or university may request up to $300,000 in funding for the life of this three-year award. Of that total, up to $100,000 may be awarded in FY2022, an additional $100,000 may be awarded in FY2023, and $100,000 may be awarded in FY2024. The second year (FY2023) and third year (FY2024) funding is contingent on the availability of out-year funding, continued relevance to program objectives and priorities, and performance under the current award. The application deadline is July 30, 2022.
Up to $75 million is available to funds to remove existing marine debris, and prevent future debris. Marine debris is dangerous pollution that can impact fish, marine mammals, sea birds and the habitat that those animals depend on. Debris can also damage boats and fishing gear.
In Washington?state, previous grants have been awarded to address derelict fishing gear, tsunami debris, and other habitat restoration efforts.? The University of Washington Sea Grant program will?be eligible to compete for $18 million of the funds.
- Marine Debris Removal Grants ($56 Million in FY 2022): NOAA will accept proposals with a funding level of between $150,000 and $15 million over the award period. The application deadline is September 30, 2022.
- Marine Debris Challenge Competition ($16 Million in FY 2022): The National Sea Grant Office anticipates funding approximately 5-12 projects of up to three years' duration. Applicants may request up to $3,000,000. Letters of Intent open through August 9, 2022
- Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions ($3 Million in FY 2022): The National Sea Grant Office anticipates approximately $3 million in FY 2022 and 2023 to fund approximately 5-10 Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions. Applicants may request up to $300,000. Letters of Intent open through August 16, 2022.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for these programs is HERE.
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