New Opportunities

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. 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. This opportunity will be discussed on Funding Work Group call on Wednesday February 28th, 2024.

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.

See here for the February regulatory update. More information on rulemaking developments is available on the Regulatory Resources page.

USACE Water Resources Planning Rulemaking – Deadline Apr. 15

On Feb. 15, 2024, USACE issued a proposed rule instituting long-awaited Agency-Specific Procedures (ASPs) to implement the 2014 Principles, Requirements and Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources Implementation Studies (PR&G). The rulemaking proposes a significant evolution in USACE’s water resources decision-making. Comments may be submitted via Regulations.gov through Apr. 15, 2024.

CSO will develop comments reflecting national consensus priorities around state and local coordination, compliance with CZMA federal consistency, coastal development, environmental justice, and nature-based solutions. Staff will hold a member call to brief on the new rule and solicit member priorities next Thursday February 29 at 3:00pm ET / 2:00pm CT / 12:00pm PT.

USACE - NHPA Procedures for Regulatory Program

On Feb. 9, 2024, USACE issued a proposed rule to amend its Regulatory Program's permitting regulations around compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act and implementing regulations. USACE proposes to repeal its current historic preservation requirements at 33 CFR part 325, Appendix C, and instead follow the NHPA's implementing regulations, developed and interpreted by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), relying on the flexibility in those regulations for Federal agency compliance with the steps of review. Comments may be submitted via Regulations.gov through Tuesday April 9, 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] 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.

[NEW] 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.

[NEW] 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.

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.

Public Listening Sessions for the Future of Aquaculture at NOAA Fisheries

The NOAA Office of Aquaculture is undertaking a program review to responsibly plan for the future of its aquaculture program by considering how NOAA would implement the NOAA Aquaculture Strategic Plan under various scenarios. Regional and national listening sessions will be held throughout February and March – dates and registration information are available here.

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.