Spotlight on Coastal Management: $562 Million Investment in Coastal Resilience Announced

Last Friday, Vice President Harris announced that the Department of Commerce has recommended $562 million in funding — including investments in nearly 150 projects across 30 coastal and Great Lakes states and territories — to make communities and the economy more resilient to climate change. The awards were made under NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative and are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and bolstered by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Of that, coastal states and territories received $77 million in the first year of funding.

The funding breakdown for coastal states and territories:

• Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Programs – $54.4 million, including $50.1 million for 20 coastal infrastructure projects tackling community needs on the ground, as well as $4.3 million to support capacity-building within state coastal programs.
• National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs) – $23 million, including $20.2 million for 13 projects as well as $2.8 million to support capacity-building within reserves.

The investments announced last week, when combined with BIL and IRA funding to other important programs such as the Regional Ocean Partnerships, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund, the Dept. of Transportation PROTECT Act program, and the EPA’s place-based conservation programs like the National Estuary Program, set the United States on a better, more proactive path toward preparing for and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Coastal resilience is not a one size fits all undertaking; funding to state coastal programs, NERRS, and regional and local grant programs will empower states to prepare their coastal communities for hazards in ways that are uniquely suited to their needs.

Read CSO's press release here and NOAA's press release here.

Oregon: $2.01M granted for Tribe land deal

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded the Oregon Coastal Management Program (OCMP) at the Department of Land Conservation and Development’s (DLCD) a $2.01 million grant for the conservation of an iconic coastal headland through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for Coastal Zone Management programs. The investment will provide the funding necessary for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) to acquire land on Cape Foulweather, located along the Central Oregon Coast. This rare rocky shore with important salt spray meadow and Sitka Spruce forest habitat will be conserved for its ecological, cultural and visual benefits, bolstering the resilience of the Tribe and coastal community, according to a release from the DLCD. Read more here.

Locals-only days, hot spot stewards aim to manage East Maui tourism

Twin Falls, one of the busier pit stops along Hana Highway, was much calmer last week as farm operators piloted a locals-only day to alleviate some of the overcrowding issues, parking concerns and environmental impacts in the valley. As drivers and passengers entered the parking lot of Twin Falls from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 8, they were asked to show proof of Hawaii identification. “It went really well, it was a pretty amazing day out here,” Aina Harold, who has worked at the hot spot for over 15 years, said Tuesday morning. “Everybody that came here, majority of them said they hadn’t come here in years and they had avoided the area because it was just overcrowded, so that was one of the comments we heard the most.” An increasingly popular natural attraction along the Road to Hana, drawing between 250 to 400 cars per day depending on the season, the waterfalls, ponds and trails at the privately owned farm are often jampacked with individuals, families and tour groups. For the first-ever local event, only about 150 vehicles total entered Twin Falls for the entire day. Read more here.

Flood-battered N.J. poised to enact model disclosure law

In early September, when New Jersey state Sen. Bob Smith introduced a bill to require that residents disclose the flood risk of real estate they’re selling, he was confident it would win approval. But Smith didn’t expect the vote to be so lopsided. The New Jersey Senate approved the bill in December by a vote of 37-0, and the state Assembly vote in February was 78-0. “That’s very rare,” said Smith, a Democrat who’s been in the New Jersey Legislature for 37 years. The unanimous approval marks a potential breakthrough in the nationwide effort to raise awareness of flood risk through state laws that require sellers to disclose if their property is in a flood zone or has been flooded.

Most states require little or no disclosure, which has led to people buying homes they don’t realize are in flood zones and forgoing flood insurance. Read more here.

Maryland offshore wind target quadruples

The Maryland General Assembly has passed the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources (POWER) Act of 2023 (Senate Bill 0781 / House Bill 0793), that sets new and ambitious targets. The bill is on its way to Gov. Wes Moore’s desk, where he is expected to sign the legislation into law. The legislation would quadruple Maryland’s offshore wind generation goals from about 2 GW to 8.5 GW by 2031, improve its transmission infrastructure, and provide a pathway to future procurement of offshore wind energy in the state. The 8.5 GW of offshore wind energy targeted in the POWER Act is enough to supply clean energy to more than 2 million homes in Maryland while jobs, as the bill aims to ensure that offshore wind projects provide equitable opportunities for local unions and minority, women, service-disabled, and veteran-owned businesses. Read more here.

Wisconsin Dept. of Administration: To receive $1.9 million for conservation projects from bipartisan infrastructure law

The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld announced that Wisconsin is set to receive a total of $2.5 million as part of a climate resilience investment from the Biden Administration’s Investing In America initiative, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Of that total, $1.9 million has been directed to DOA, as part of a Sand River Headwaters conservation project in Bayfield County. The funds would allow Bayfield County to acquire over 2,000 acres of ecologically significant land vital to the health and functioning of Lake Superior’s coastal resources. The ecosystems within the acquired land provide stopover habitat for migratory birds, spawning areas for Great Lakes fish, aesthetic views of Lake Superior, and passive recreation. The acquisition also completes a broader agreement with the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for the County’s reinvestment of proceeds from an earlier land sale that repatriated nearby land formerly owned by the County to the Red Cliff. Read more here.

A Closer Look at Efforts to Combat Erosion, Storm Damage Along Lake Michigan Shoreline

Efforts to combat erosion and storm damage in Chicago continue through the Shoreline Protection Project (SPP). A collaboration between the City of Chicago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Parks Department, the $500 million dollar plan targets 24 segments along nine miles of shoreline to replace existing infrastructure built in the early 1900s.Of the original 24, two segments remain on the South Side, including Promontory Point. "For being 100 years old, it's done a really good job, but slowly it’s falling apart and really needs some attention," said Mike Padilla, a project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Chicago. Promontory Point is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was recently designated as a Chicago landmark. It will require additional public input on design and reconstruction. Originally authorized by Congress for reconstruction in 2007, the project had not been funded until recently. Read more here.

Funding for 17 New EPA Technical Assistance Centers Announced

EPA announced the selection of 17 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy that will receive $177 million to help underserved and overburdened communities across the country access funds from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, including historic investments to advance environmental justice.

New Hampshire Sea Grant Accepting Applications for Professional Development Program

New Hampshire Sea Grant is currently accepting applications for the NH CoastWise program, a year-long, cohort-based professional development immersion program for students and professionals working on coastal resilience and marine resource research and management issues in the state. The program is offered at no cost to participants and applications are due by Monday, May 1, 2023 at 5pm ET. Visit here for more details on the program and a link to apply!

EPA Releases Self-Guided Training on Hazard Mitigation and Water Quality

EPA’s Nonpoint Source program, alongside EPA’s Watershed Academy released a web-based training “Creating Co-Benefits Through Hazard Mitigation Planning and Water Resource Management.” This training was developed with review and feedback from partners at FEMA and supports water quality and hazard mitigation professionals in integrating water quality issues, water resource management, and nature-based practices into state or local Hazard Mitigation Plans.

FEMA Releases New Hazard Mitigation Planning Policies to Address Future Risk

FEMA National Mitigation Planning Program's next generation of the State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide and Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide / Guía de políticas de planificación de mitigación a nivel local went into effect on April 19, 2023. The policies reinforce resilience as a Whole Community effort. The policies position mitigation planning to be integrated with other complementary community actions, such as climate adaptation, resilience and sustainability planning initiatives. These efforts build state and local capabilities and help jurisdictions plan for long-term risk reduction, climate change and more-equitable outcomes.

Call for Abstracts for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Partners Workshop

FEMA is holding their Hazard Mitigation Partners Workshop virtually October 16-19, 2023.The annual gathering of hazard mitigation stakeholders is an opportunity to share updates about mitigation grants and floodplain management, build stronger partnerships, and collaborate with FEMA.Topics will focus on building mitigation champions, driving community resiliency, providing technical assistance for grant programs, and supporting overall mitigation. In line with key workshop themes, there is interest in abstracts highlighting efforts to reach or build capacity within disadvantaged communities.The call for abstracts is open until Monday, May 15, 2023.

EPA Launches New Webpage on State Revolving Loan Funds and BIL

The State Revolving Funds (SRFs) have been the successful foundation of water infrastructure investments, with states, Tribes, and territories working to steward more than $200 billion in SRF funds since 1988. That is why the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates most of these water infrastructure dollars—$43 billion—through the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs. Distributing this investment through the SRFs allows states maximum flexibility to be creative and responsive to their communities' specific needs and challenges. To procure Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, each state must publish an Intended Use Plan and then apply for funding. Each state can access five different BIL funding streams: Clean Water SRF General Supplemental funding, Clean Water SRF Emerging Contaminants funding, Drinking Water SRF General Supplemental funding, Drinking Water SRF Emerging Contaminants funding, and Drinking Water SRF Lead Service Line Replacement funding. Because each state manages these funds differently, statuses may vary across states and funding categories. Check out the new webpage to learn more about your state’s funding status.

FEMA Announces NOFO for Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF Program

FEMA has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program. Applications are due Friday, April 28, 2023. Learn more here.

NOAA Hydrographic Services Panel Seeks Nominations

NOAA is seeking nominations for members to serve on the Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) Federal Advisory Committee. The panel advises NOAA on standards and priorities for the agency’s hydrographic services, including ensuring comprehensive geographic coverage. NOAA seeks experts from state and local government, academia, and industry in fields including navigation, port administration, and coastal resource management, including coastal preparedness and emergency response. Nominations are due by email on April 28, 2023. Learn more and submit nominations here.

Michigan Coastal Management Program Calls for Pre-Proposals for Coastal Habitat Restoration and Ecosystem Land Conservation 2023 Grant

The MCMP is seeking pre-proposals in anticipation of selecting up to three projects to submit in this national competition. Pre-proposals are to be submitted to the MCMP no later than Monday June 5, 2023. The MCMP will conduct an informational webinar to cover the federal competition requirements and pre-proposal expectations. The webinar is intended for local units of government, cities, counties, villages, tribal governments, and state agencies within Michigan’s coastal counties. The webinar will be held Wednesday May 3, 2023, 1:30- 3:00 EDT. Register for the webinar here.

National Estuary Program Coastal Watersheds Grant Program

Restore America’s Estuaries, in partnership with the U.S. EPA, released the 2023 funding round of the National Estuary Program (NEP) Coastal Watersheds Grant. Approximately $1 million in grants will be made available. The NEP Coastal Watersheds Grant Program is a nationally competitive grants program designed to support projects that address urgent and challenging issues threatening the well-being of coastal and estuarine areas within determined estuaries of national significance. RAE will select grantees through a two-step process: 1) letters of intent (LOI); and 2) full proposals by invitation only. Both steps are competitive and a request for full proposal does not guarantee funding. LOIs are due on Friday, May 5, 2023. Learn more here.

National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy RFI

NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program intends to develop a National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy in consultation with the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. The Strategy will identify data and management gaps and establish national goals for funding and research, including designation of priority areas for conservation and for restoration, incorporating elements of the existing Coral Reef Conservation Program Strategic Plan. Comments can be submitted via Regulations.gov through Monday May 8, 2023.

Coastal Program Announces 2023 New Hampshire Coastal Resilience Grant Request for Applications

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Coastal Program is soliciting 2023 Coastal Resilience Grant (CRG) applications for coastal resilience projects. The CRG funding opportunity supports projects that build capacity, advance planning, and develop designs to increase coastal resilience, with specific focus on community and/or habitat resilience. Applications are due May 26, 2023. Learn more here.