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[NEW] Great Lakes Commission Releases Annual Federal Priorities, New Federal Investment Tracker
The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) released its 2024 federal priorities, urging the Biden administration and Congress to move forward with policies, projects and programs that will foster a more resilient Great Lakes region, increase economic opportunity, and equitably improve the health of important ecosystems throughout the Great Lakes basin. In 2024, the GLC urges Congress and the Biden administration to: reauthorize and fully fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI); build a resilient Great Lakes basin; comprehensively address harmful algal blooms; provide dedicated funding to the GLC to fulfill its unique role in the region; ensure equitable access to clean and safe water; capitalize on the potential of the Great Lakes Navigation System; protect against invasive species; and support integrated binational science and data collection. New this year, the GLC has also introduced the Great Lakes Investment Tracker, an interactive mapping application to showcase federally funded projects in Great Lakes states. The app maps and categorizes projects funded through the GLRI; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and Inflation Reduction Act. Learn more here.
[NEW] White House Holding Listening Sessions on Marine Carbon Removal Research
The White House National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Fast-Track Action Committee (MCDR–FTAC) is holding a series of listening sessions to inform the development of an implementation plan regarding marine carbon dioxide removal (MCDR) research. The listening sessions will give an introduction to the MCDR-FTAC and provide an opportunity for interested parties to provide input. The sessions will be organized around three themes: 1) Permitting, regulatory, and other standards and policies, 2) Developing a comprehensive federal MCDR research program, and 3) Mechanisms to enable public awareness and engagement. You may attend as many sessions as you wish.
Theme 1: Permitting, regulatory, and other standards and policies. The FTAC seeks feedback on how the U.S. government intends to apply relevant domestic and international frameworks to regulating MCDR research, including field tests in the ocean. Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 12:30 – 2:30 EST, Registration: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsdeyopjkqHWVAQLMcMg0Yej0K6Jyednk
Theme 2: Comprehensive Federal MCDR research program. The FTAC seeks feedback on a Federal research program that will accelerate the development of the knowledge needed to understand the effectiveness and safety of MCDR approaches. Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 12:30 – 2:30 EST Registration: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf-6orzgpGHu6D2PnoHlx00k8wjg5Hvk
Theme 3: Mechanisms to enable public awareness and public-private cooperation. The FTAC seeks feedback on how to enable public engagement in MCDR research and how to promote cooperation between the Federal government and non-Federal parties on MCDR research, including field tests. Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 12:30 – 2:30 EST, Registration: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscu2oqj8sH9ir171uayKrJ75F4H6VdUM
If you plan to attend, please register using the links above. Zoom room information will be provided to those that RSVP. Please note that, depending on session attendance, public comments may be limited to 3 minutes per person (subject to further notice). For more information regarding the MCDR and the scope of the MCDR-FTAC, please see the Federal Register Notice here. In addition to attending the listening sessions, you may also submit input there.
White House Releases Fact Sheet on Annual Agency Action Plans
On February 14th, marking the first anniversary of the signing of President Biden’s second Executive Order on equity, federal agencies, including all Cabinet-level agencies, are releasing their 2023 Equity Action Plans, which include over 100 community-informed strategies and actions to address systemic barriers in our Nation’s policies and programs. The Biden-Harris Administration also released a new White House Progress Report on Equity, which highlights examples of the more than 650 actions agencies have undertaken since the release of their 2022 Equity Action Plans. Agencies acted to increase access to federal contracting dollars, capital, and lending programs for small disadvantaged businesses; reduce discrimination in the housing market; advance environmental justice and invest in disadvantaged communities; address health disparities, including disparities in maternal health outcomes in communities of color; build economic prosperity in rural communities; promote equity and fairness in the justice system; support victims and survivors of gender-based violence; root out bias in the design and use of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence; and bolster civil rights enforcement. Read the full fact sheet here.
National Sea Grant Law Center Accepting LOIs for 2024 Coastal Resilience Program Competition
The National Sea Grant Law Center (Law Center) is accepting applications from eligible applicants to conduct research on the effectiveness of laws and policies related to a wide range of coastal resilience issues including sea level rise, flooding, amplified storm surge, increased frequency and intensity of storms, land use, or other environmental factors, and whether those policies are achieving desired policy changes. The 2024 Coastal Resilience Program grants have a recommended funding level of $75,000, and the Law Center anticipates selecting up to two projects for funding. Matching funds will not be required. Letters of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. Central Time on Friday, March 8, 2024. Full proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Central Time on Friday, June 7, 2024. The anticipated award start date is February 1, 2025. The following entities are eligible and encouraged to participate in this funding opportunity: Sea Grant Programs, institutions of higher education, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that have the ability and capacity to conduct rigorous, non-partisan law and policy research. Learn more here.
RAE Coastal & Estuarine Summit Call For Abstracts
Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) proudly presents the 2024 Coastal and Estuarine Summit in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). This event will bring together the coastal restoration and management communities to explore issues, solutions, and lessons learned in their work. In the context of climate change, adaption, resilience and building inclusive coastal communities transcend our collective work, the Summit will address all aspects of coastal and estuarine restoration and management, including the Great Lakes and international locales. These topics are crucial as coastal
communities pursue new, more robust strategies to manage, protect, and restore their resources in a changing climate and the need to support all community members. Proposals are due Friday March 15, 2024. Read the full call for proposals here. Submit abstracts here.
NFWF and NOAA Release RFP for National Coastal Resilience Fund
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, released a request for proposals for the FY 2024 National Coastal Resilience Fund. Funded projects will restore, increase, and strengthen natural infrastructure—the landscapes that help absorb the impacts of storms and floods—to ultimately protect coastal communities and enhance fish and wildlife habitat. This year, the fund will invest approximately $140 million in projects. Pre-proposals are due Wednesday April 10, 2024. Applicants invited to submit a full proposal will have a Tuesday July 2, 2024, deadline. The complete request for proposals can be found here. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is holding pre-proposal webinars on Wednesday February 28, Tuesday March 5, and Thursday March 7, 2024. Registration information can be found at the link above. If you have questions, please contact Lindy.Betzhold@noaa.gov.
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.
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