December 13, 2024 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced the availability of $20 million in funding for projects that will advance coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities. Of the $20 million of funding available, 15% is specifically available to U.S. federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native corporations and organizations that represent tribes. This is the third and final round of funding for this initiative under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for habitat restoration focused on tribes and underserved communities.
NOAA seeks to support opportunities for tribes and underserved communities to meaningfully engage in coastal habitat restoration activities, such as removing outdated dams and restoring coastal wetlands. These activities can help improve communities’ ability to adapt and recover from the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.
“Tribes and underserved communities are at the forefront of the climate crisis, and are often affected the most by hazards such as coastal storms and flooding,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are making sure tribes have the resources they need for habitat restoration efforts that strengthen ecological and economic prosperity.”
This funding opportunity will support the following activities:
- Capacity building, including activities such as participation in municipal or regional-scale resilience planning, project planning and feasibility studies, community engagement or proposal development for future funding.
- Restoration, including activities such as demonstration projects, engineering and design, permitting and on-the-ground restoration.
“NOAA is committed to advancing equity in everything we do,”said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “Through meaningful engagement and coalition-building, these investments will allow tribes and underserved communities to restore the lands and waters that support their economies and cultures.”
Through historic investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation has awarded more than $985 million for 214 projects across the country. The Office of Habitat Conservation has a long history of conducting habitat restoration efforts with large-scale competitive funding opportunities and expert technical assistance through its Community-based Restoration Program.
Applications are due by May 12, 2025. For more information about this opportunity, visit the Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities webpage.
Visit the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law webpage to learn about current and future funding opportunities.