Deadline
is August 7
The National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) announced a partnership that will restore, increase
and strengthen natural infrastructure — the landscapes that help absorb the
impacts of storms and floods — to protect coastal communities, while also
enhancing habitats for fish and wildlife.
In its
inaugural year, the National Coastal Resilience Fund will invest up to $30
million in the restoration or expansion of natural features such as coastal
marshes and wetlands, dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs,
mangroves, forests, coastal rivers, as well as barrier islands that help
minimize the impacts of storms, rising sea levels and other extreme events on
nearby communities and infrastructure.
NOAA will use a small portion of the funding for scoping designed to assist communities in getting the regional information they need to make ocean and coastal management decisions and provide economic, security, and environmental benefits.
NOAA will use a small portion of the funding for scoping designed to assist communities in getting the regional information they need to make ocean and coastal management decisions and provide economic, security, and environmental benefits.
“Protecting
local coastal communities and benefiting wildlife at the same time is a huge
win-win for coastal regions of the United States,” said Jeff Trandahl,
executive director and CEO of NFWF. “The projects we fund through this new
partnership with NOAA, and with the support of Congress, will provide lasting
benefits to millions of Americans, and to the natural resources that are
essential to the future of the nation.”
In 2017, the
United States was impacted by 16 separate billion-dollar weather and climate
disaster events, resulting in a record $306.2 billion in damages.
In addition, many coastal cities are experiencing high tide flooding 10 to 20 days or more each year, resulting in public safety and health risks, such as road closures, overwhelmed storm drains, and compromised infrastructure and water quality.
In addition, many coastal cities are experiencing high tide flooding 10 to 20 days or more each year, resulting in public safety and health risks, such as road closures, overwhelmed storm drains, and compromised infrastructure and water quality.
“Healthy
coastal and ocean habitats are critical to our nation’s economic livelihood,”
said retired Navy Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., assistant secretary of
commerce for oceans and atmosphere and acting undersecretary of commerce for
oceans and atmosphere.
“This partnership dedicates resources to safeguard our natural resources and protect our communities from storms and flooding. This also brings long-term economic security by minimizing disruptions to businesses, transportation, commerce, and the emergency services on which communities depend.”
“This partnership dedicates resources to safeguard our natural resources and protect our communities from storms and flooding. This also brings long-term economic security by minimizing disruptions to businesses, transportation, commerce, and the emergency services on which communities depend.”
“We designed
this fund to help those living and working along the coast address the
challenges they face as the consequences of climate change come to shore,” said
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
“I’m excited to see the innovative projects submitted for consideration by universities, nonprofits, and local governments to protect our coastal economy and way of life from floods, storms, and rising seas.”
“I’m excited to see the innovative projects submitted for consideration by universities, nonprofits, and local governments to protect our coastal economy and way of life from floods, storms, and rising seas.”
The fund will
focus on restoration projects that help reduce the impacts of regional threats,
such as changes in sea and Great Lakes water levels, storm surge, tsunamis,
increased shallow coastal and riverine flooding, and erosion. In addition to
improving coastal resilience, restoration projects will benefit local economies
while at the same time sustaining critical habitats and wildlife.
“In less than a
century, Louisiana lost nearly one million football fields of land. Hurricanes
Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike exacerbated our land loss,” said Senator John
Kennedy of Louisiana. “We’re in a David versus Goliath battle to save our
coast. This partnership will help us strengthen our coastal communities and
protect the habitats that are so unique to Louisiana.”
Building on the
significant coordination and planning that has already been done in many of the
nation’s coastal communities and recognizing the need for action, the new
partnership will focus investments on projects that have been prioritized in
existing community or regional resilience plans.
Priority will be given to:
Priority will be given to:
- Implementation of design-ready restoration projects that enhance resilience and reduce risk
- Planning and design projects to position communities for future implementation
- Projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative approaches to enhance coastal resilience with natural infrastructure
In partnership
with NOAA, NFWF will establish the National Coastal Resilience Fund and
administer the program, as authorized by Title IX of the National Oceans and
Coastal Security Act. Both organizations will jointly establish criteria to
review proposed projects for funding.
Access the full Request for Proposals, all
proposals are due August 7, 2018.
