Bipartisan Infrastructure Law summary: "Shall be for habitat restoration projects pursuant to section 310 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1456c), including ecosystem conservation pursuant to section 12502 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 1456).”
The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) underscores the national interest in the effective management, protection, and development of the coastal zone, and therefore established a national system of state and territorial coastal management programs. The legislation notes that these habitat areas are ecologically fragile and vulnerable to degradation or destruction by human alterations. Funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will enable approved coastal programs to protect and restore these ecologically significant habitats, including conserving lands that play a critical role in helping communities become more resilient to natural hazards including storms, flooding, erosion, tsunamis, sea level rise and lake level changes.
Projects funded through coastal zone management grants will advance the national goals and priorities of the CZMA and NOAA, as well Administration initiatives including America the Beautiful and the New Blue Economy. These projects will increase the number of acres of coastal wetlands, corals, and natural shorelines protected and restored through direct investment by coastal and Great Lakes states and territories. In turn, these ecosystems will help decrease economic losses from the impacts of coastal hazards, including flooding and climate change, to property and infrastructure. These coastal zone management investments will complement and leverage the outcomes of other infrastructure provisions for habitat restoration to maximize impact nationwide.
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 often lack access to resources, and advance the principles of diversity and inclusion.
Funding
$207M over 5 years
Announcements
- FY23 Notice of Funding Opportunity (June 13, 2023)
- Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Grants (April 21, 2023) - NOAA is announcing $74.4 million for state and territory coastal management programs, including $50.1 million for 20 projects and $24.3 million to support capacity building within the coastal