We are pleased to share that two states have new Coastal Management Program Directors:

• Magaly Massanet Rodriguez started as the new Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program Office Director. mmassanet@drna.pr.gov
• Meg Kelly is the new Director of the Illinois Coastal Management Program. Meg.Kelly@Illinois.gov

Both have extensive and impressive credentials but are new their state’s coastal management program. CSO is pleased to welcome them to our CZM family and have offered support on behalf of all the other state program managers to help them get up to speed!

Also, for those who haven’t heard, Justine Nihipali left the Hawaii CZM program in December to work with NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management (so we’ll see her around!); Debra Mendes is serving as Acting Program Manager. And Braxton Davis is leaving the NC CZM program at the end of January, to lead the North Carolina Coastal Federation (so we’ll still see him around!); more to come soon on how Braxton’s position will be filled.

On-going opportunities:

All information available at https://www.coastalstates.org/members-only/cso-work-groups/2023-funding-work-group/

The newest funding opportunity is a NOFO for the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant Programs from the EPA. The grant program offers $2 billion to benefit disadvantaged communities through “projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges.” States are not directly eligible, but any underserved community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs) and/or community is likely eligible. EPA is specifically interested in funding Territories! It's a rolling application for a year (closing on Thursday November 21, 2024) and allows for the potential resubmission of initially unsuccessful applications.

More detailed info about the grant program here: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-community-change-grants-program.

The next big resilience funding opportunity is from FEMA, with $1.8 billion available through BRIC and Flood Mitigation Assistance. These need to be submitted through whatever your state’s process is – so be sure to coordinate with you state hazard mitigation or emergency management office. Both opportunities can fund coastal resilience and nature-based solutions projects (and more traditional grey infrastructure), they just need to demonstrate reduction in hazard/flood risk. Applications are due to FEMA Thursday February 29, 2024, but states will have earlier deadlines.

Full Applications:

Congratulations to all the programs invited to submit a full proposal to the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge! Full applications are due Tuesday February 13, 2024. 

Congratulations also to all of you invited submit a full proposal for CZM BIL year 2 (and IRA funds) Competitive Funding! Full applications are due Wednesday January 10, 2024.

More information on rulemaking developments is available on the Regulatory Resources page.

[NEW] Fall 2023 Regulatory Agenda Released

On Dec. 9, 2023, the Office of Management and Budget released the 2023 Fall Unified Agenda, a compilation of information about ongoing and planned federal agency rulemaking released every Fall and Spring. Rules finalized later in 2024 could be subject to recission under the Congressional Review Act during the 119th Congress; the cut-off date depends on how often the current Congress is in session over the next few months. A staff summary of listings relevant to coastal management programs is available here.

EPA Environmental Justice Technical Guidance – Deadline Jan. 15

EPA has issued a draft revision to its Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis, first published in 2016. The purpose of this guidance is to outline analytic expectations and discuss technical approaches and methods that can be used by agency analysts to evaluate EJ concerns for regulatory actions. Comments may be submitted via Regulations.gov through Monday January 15, 2024.

CEQ Environmental Justice Scorecard RFI – Deadline Jan. 19

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has issued a request for feedback on Phase One of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, including improved or additional metrics. Comments may be submitted via Reglations.gov through Friday January 19, 2024.

Request for Information Issued for New National Ocean Biodiversity Strategy – Deadline Feb. 28

On Nov. 9, 2023, the National Science Foundation requested input on development of a new National Ocean Biodiversity Strategy covering the genetic lineages, species, habitats, and ecosystems of U.S. ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes waters. The plan will set out actions federal agencies should take to collect, coordinate, and deliver information for policy, investment, development, and management, to better align ocean biodiversity investments and policy with societal needs. Comments may be submitted by email to rfi-marinebiodiversity@nsf.gov by Wednesday February 28, 2024.

[NEW] FEMA Announces Second "Safeguarding Tomorrow RFL" Grant Program

FEMA announced its second Safeguarding Tomorrow through On-going Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund program “Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF” grant program funding opportunity for $150 million. This opportunity will provide capitalization grants to eligible applicants to award low-interest loans to communities to reduce their vulnerability to disasters, foster greater resilience and reduce disaster impacts. The application period opens on Feb. 1, 2024. The funding notice is available at Grants.gov Eligible entities must apply for funding using the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants Management System (ND Grants). Applications must be received by Tuesday April 30, 2024 by 3 p.m. ET.

[NEW] EPA Releases New Resources on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal and Marine Solar Radiation Management

The Environmental Protection Agency administers two permitting programs under federal statutes that apply to mCDR and mSRM activities in coastal waters and the ocean. Researchers and other organizations proposing to conduct marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) and marine solar radiation management (mSRM), activities in coastal waters or the ocean may need to seek authorization under a Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act permit or Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. The EPA is pleased to share new web resources that include information about proposed mCDR and mSRM activities and provide further information on the EPA’s regulatory responsibilities for ensuring these emerging activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner to protect human health, the marine environment and other uses of the ocean. Researchers and organizations considering ocean-based mCDR or mSRM activities should contact the EPA with questions about permitting and to discuss how to apply for a permit by emailing EPAmarineCDR@epa.gov.

NOAA Releases First-Ever National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Visualization Tool

The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program is pleased to share the release of its National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) Data Visualization Tool on the NOAA Geoplatform. This product is the first-ever tool currently on the NOAA Geoplatform for shallow (0-30m) tropical/sub-tropical coral reef ecosystem status and trends data. NCRMP provides a strategic framework for conducting sustained observations of biological, climatic, and socioeconomic indicators in U.S. states and territories with coral reefs. The resulting data provide a robust picture of the condition of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and the communities connected to them. It is one of the only coral reef monitoring programs in the world to directly include a human dimensions component with biophysical monitoring. The NCRMP GIS-based tool allows you to see where and when coral reef monitoring data were collected, visualize status and trends, and download summarized data in an easier way than ever before. The tool gives scientists, managers, and students a “one-stop” information hub to access and understand NOAA’s shallow water coral data. Access the tool here.

Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and Lake Superior NERR Release Great Lakes Planting Guide

This guide empowers users to grow, promote, and use plant beings specifically from natural plant communities adapted to coastal areas of Gichigami (Lake Superior) to heal and protect Gichigami shorelines. While the focus of the guide is specific to the Wisconsin coast, the basic premise extends to other regions of the Gichigami basin and watershed, though some of the plant communities may be different. It is designed for use by coastal-land caretakers, resource managers, landscape planners, and anyone who interacts with the Gichigami shoreline. Users of this guide will be introduced to many plants that have thrived on this landscape, and with whom the Ojibwe people have developed long-standing relationships. From its inception, the intent of this planting guide has been to blend different ways of knowing together and to share about plants in a way that intentionally elevates the knowledge and the guidance of Indigenous communities. Read the guide here.

White House Announces Ocean Justice Strategy at COP28

The White House announced its first-ever Ocean Justice Strategy Friday at COP28 in Dubai, which it says will advance the nation's commitment to environmental justice for all. The Biden Administration says indigenous communities have stewarded marine habitats for centuries. Now those communities are among those who may be most at risk for health and environmental harm from those habitats. The strategy, which the administration describes as a "vision for ocean justice," was developed with input from public comments and from consultation with Tribal nations and roundtables with U.S. Territories and Native Hawaiian organizations. The new strategy includes a variety of marginalized groups, including Black, Latino and Native communities. “The ocean is a life source for us all, but because of historic injustices and underinvestment, some communities are hit harder by devastating climate change impacts,” said Brenda Mallory, the chair of the White House Council for Environmental Quality. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s new Ocean Justice Strategy will help to address historic inequities, improve the well-being of people in communities connected to the ocean, and safeguard a healthy ocean for everyone." Read more here.