Consultations and permitting

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law summary: "For consultations and permitting related to the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Essential Fish Habitat defined by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide significant funding and opportunities for federal projects aimed at tackling the nation’s climate crisis, such as off-shore wind energy. However, these projects will increase the demand for consultations and permits to consider possible impacts to marine life and their habitat. To meet this need, NOAA Fisheries will dedicate $4 million per year from Infrastructure Act funds for term employees or labor contracts to complete consultations and incidental harassment authorizations for infrastructure projects planned by NOAA and other federal agencies across the country. 

$20M over 5 years

• Funding will likely be distributed internally, therefore no external funding opportunity is expected at this time.