Biden-Harris Administration Recommends $562 Million To Make Communities Resilient To Climate Impacts

Biden-Harris Administration recommends $562 million investment to make communities resilient to climate impacts as part of Investing in America agenda

Funding for 149 projects to reach 30 states and territories under NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative

A photo collage of just some of the projects being recommended for funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative. (Image credit: NOAA)

Today, 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, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. At an event in Miami, Florida, Vice President Harris will highlight how this announcement reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackle the climate crisis and ensure that communities are more resilient to extreme weather events. The awards are made under NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative and are funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and bolstered by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“The Biden-Harris Administration is moving aggressively to tackle the climate crisis and help communities that are experiencing increased flooding, storm surge and more frequent extreme weather events,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These investments will create jobs while protecting people, communities and ecosystems from the threats of climate change, and help our nation take the steps it needs to become more resilient and build a clean energy economy.”

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is focused on growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle out — from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make communities more climate-resilient.

NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative advances climate solutions for coastal communities

NOAA announced approximately $562 million in recommended funding to support the Climate-Ready Coasts initiative:

• $477 million for high-impact projects that create climate solutions by strengthening coastal communities’ ability to respond to extreme weather events, pollution and marine debris; restoring coastal habitats to help wildlife and humans thrive; storing carbon; building the capacity of underserved communities to address climate hazards and supporting community-driven restoration; and creating jobs in local communities.
• $46 million in additional funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation National Coastal Resilience Fund for projects that will help communities prepare for increasing coastal flooding, sea-level rise and more intense storms, while improving thousands of acres of coastal habitats.
• $39.1 million in non-competitive funding to the 34 state and territorial coastal management programs and 30 national estuarine research reserves that work in partnership with NOAA under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Funding for these programs provides essential planning, policy development and implementation, research, education, and collaborative engagement with communities around the nation to protect coastal and estuarine ecosystems important for the resilience of coastal economies and the health of coastal environments.

Demand for funding focused on preparing for and adapting to climate change is high. In the first year, NOAA’s BIL Climate-Ready Coasts far exceeded the funding available. In response to this high demand, NOAA is leveraging these requests with funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, allowing more high-quality projects to be recommended for funding and move forward.

“This crucial federal investment will help coastal communities in every corner of the Empire State, from the shores of Lake Ontario to the Hudson River, tackle the climate crisis by cleaning our waterways and bolstering critical infrastructure — all while putting New Yorkers to work and boosting our economy,” said Senate Majority Leader Schumer. “When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to passage as Majority Leader, it was game changing investments in climate ready initiatives like these that I had in mind. From Long Island to Buffalo, I am proud to support communities across New York in leading the fight against climate change and building the a cleaner more resilient future for the next generation.”

“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, these grants will ensure that coastal communities across the United States will have the tools and resources to withstand the effects of climate change,” said Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chair Cantwell. “These historic grants will support 149 projects aimed at coastal restoration and resilience projects in 30 coastal states and territories, including in the State of Washington, to restore ecosystems, recover species, and support community-driven conservation projects.”

“In passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress delivered historic investments to our nation’s coastal communities, which sit on the frontlines of climate change,” said House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva. “I applaud the work of NOAA and its partners to equitably fund high-quality, transformative projects that will restore habitat, create jobs, and make our coastlines more resilient to climate change. These are the kinds of bold, ocean-based climate solutions our country needs to boost local economies, while also protecting all Americans from the worsening impacts of the climate crisis.”

“NOAA has a long history of working with community partners to advance our understanding of coastal processes, conserve coastal resources and restore habitat in ways that benefit wildlife, people, and the economy,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “Funding through the President’s Investing in America agenda allows us to super-charge these activities so that communities, including Tribal governments, facing all types of climate impacts can prepare for what’s ahead, create climate-smart jobs and build economic resilience, and ultimately thrive.”

Information on the 149 Climate-Ready Coasts natural infrastructure projects recommended for funding are listed by state and U.S. territory at the links here 

Courtesy of NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce.

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Biden-Harris Administration recommends funding of $78.7 million for projects in Florida to strengthen Climate-Ready Coasts as part of Investing in America agenda

Today, Vice President Harris announced that the Department of Commerce has recommended $78.7 million for projects across Florida to make communities and the economy more resilient to climate change, as part of the Investing in America agenda. Across Florida, 16 projects will create jobs and boost economic and environmental outcomes for coastal communities. The awards are made under the Biden Administration’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) with additional funds leveraged from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to protecting and enhancing the diverse coastal habitats and wildlife that make Florida an engaging tourist destination and great place to raise a family,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “We are proud to recommend more than $78 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and funding leveraged from the Inflation Reduction Act, to create good paying jobs and a climate-ready coast in Florida.”

Administered by the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Climate-Ready Coasts initiative is focused on investing in high-impact projects that create climate solutions by storing carbon; build resilience to coastal hazards such as extreme weather events, pollution and marine debris; restore coastal habitats that help wildlife and humans thrive; build the capacity of underserved communities and support community-driven restoration; and provide employment opportunities.

“Florida’s elaborate coral reefs, vast shorelines, and national marine sanctuary attract thousands of environmental enthusiasts each year,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “These vital investments will help preserve and protect the natural wonders of Florida for future generations to enjoy.”

“Clean water is central to our way of life in Florida, and these new NOAA grants will help keep Tampa Bay healthy and clean,” said Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14). “Tampa Bay Watch, Pinellas County, Keep Pinellas Beautiful and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program will improve bay ecosystems so that both sea life and our economy thrive. Coastal communities are under a lot of stress from the climate crisis, and I am pleased that the Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are providing needed support for a clean and healthy Tampa Bay.”

These projects are part of NOAA’s nearly $6 billion total investment under BIL and IRA. Recommended projects and funding amounts in Florida include:

Sarasota County Alligator Creek Stream Restoration

Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners: $14.5 million
Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

Sea level rise and flooding are affecting Florida’s coastal communities and economies. This investment will restore stream and shoreline habitat to create a floodplain that is more resilient to sea level rise and improve fish habitat. Local communities such as the City of Venice will benefit from increased protection from flooding and enhanced recreational opportunities.

Perdido Watershed Habitat and Community Resilience Initiative: Incorporating Nature-based and Hybrid Solutions Across Alabama and Florida

The Nature Conservancy: $12.8 million
Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

This large-scale, multi-site effort will build climate resilience by restoring habitat that benefits recreational and commercial fisheries, thereby enhancing recreational opportunities; buffering communities from flooding and storm impacts; and improving water quality. Work will be done at sites in Alabama and Florida which are part of the Perdido Watershed Habitat and Community Resilience Initiative.

Pensacola Bay System Oyster Restoration Initiative

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners: $10.9 million
Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

Oysters are among the most valuable of Florida’s seafood products and this estuary-scale restoration project will invest in the design and initial construction of 1,000 acres of oyster habitat restoration. Assessing sediment loads, initiating upstream sediment sources, and providing funding assistance to property owners to encourage creation of living shorelines and other nature-based solutions are also included in this investment. This project is in partnership with the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program.

Pathways to Transformative Ecological Restoration of Florida’s Coral Reef

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: $7 million
Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

Coral reefs are integral to South Florida’s culture and economy, and the reef tract is a valuable asset in mitigating damage from hurricanes, sea level rise, and coastal erosion. This project will restore coral reefs at multiple Mission: Iconic Reef sites in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary by planting thousands of coral fragments of multiple species, including Endangered Species Act-listed staghorn and elkhorn corals, as well as massive reef-building corals (such as brain, boulder, and star corals).

Multi-Site Coral Reef Restoration to Build Resilient Communities in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Coral Restoration Foundation: $6.9 million
Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

Investments in coral reef restoration will help provide coastal protection, enhance fisheries, and support recreation and tourism economies across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This project will help rebuild populations of five Endangered Species Act-listed corals at multiple sites, including reefs associated with ongoing NOAA efforts in these areas. The project’s outreach and education activities will engage Girl Scouts, student interns, and the local community by building on an established outreach program.

Critical Conservation for Climate Resilience in the Northeast Florida Blueway

Florida Department of Environmental Protection: $6 million
Funding Source: Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Grants

This award will fund the acquisition of a portion of the remaining 10,976 acres of the 73,400-acre Northeast Florida Blueway project, which is part of the Florida Forever Program’s Climate Change Lands. Most of the acquisition is within the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve and will protect and maintain the waters and shoreline plant communities of the Tolomato and Matanzas Rivers, which provide critical habitat for 14 federally listed species of plants and animals.

Gulf of Mexico Community-based Oyster Recycling and Reef Restoration Network

Restore America’s Estuaries: $4.9 million
Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

This project will restore oyster reef habitat at sites across the Gulf of Mexico region. Restaurants from around the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas will participate in a comprehensive oyster shell recycling program to help build oyster reefs that provide habitat for a diverse group of species, including recreationally and commercially important fish and their prey. Shell recycling programs and oyster reef restoration sites will be designed to serve local ecosystem and community resilience needs, with an emphasis on tribes and underserved communities.

Henderson Creek Hydrologic Restoration Project

Florida Department of Environmental Protection: $3.9 million
Funding Source: National Estuarine Research Reserve System Habitat Protection and Restoration Grants

This award will fund restoration of hydrologic sheet flow and related hydrologic regimes within the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Collier County, Florida. The project will increase habitat resilience against future climate change impacts by enhancing wildlife habitat, hydrologic connectivity, wildlife corridor connectivity, water quality, and preservation of stormwater receiving areas that help prevent flooding in local communities.

Hogans Creek Restoration Design Project

Groundwork Jacksonville: $2.9 million
Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

This investment will support planning efforts to restore wetland and upland habitats along Hogans Creek, which will ultimately include removing culverts and daylighting sections of the creek that run underground. This work will create habitat for species such as sturgeon, shrimp, crabs, and red drum and is one of the top two flood reduction priorities for the City of Jacksonville.

McCoys Creek Restoration Construction — The Branches

Groundwork Jacksonville: $2.8 million
Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

Restoring natural habitats like wetlands and forested areas along creeks are an important way to reduce flooding in urban areas. This project has been identified as a top flood reduction priority by the City of Jacksonville’s and will eliminate or reduce flooding for homes and other structures in adjacent neighborhoods. This investment will also increase and enhance green space as part of the Emerald Trail system, improve stream water quality, and support community engagement through an expansion of the existing Community Restoration Environmental Stewardship Training program.

Tampa Bay Tire Cleanup

Pinellas County Government: $2.2 million
Funding Source: Marine Debris Removal Competition

This project will remove more than 200,000 tires from Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico that were placed in the 1960s-1980s as artificial reefs.

Understanding, Mitigation and Prevention of Waste Plastic Marine Debris in the Gulf Coast

Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium: $1.9 million
Funding Source: Marine Debris Challenge Competition

The burgeoning problem of microplastics will be addressed through a multi-state partnership including 10 wastewater treatment facilities in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The project aims to improve microplastic understanding, develop microplastic reduction techniques, measure microplastic concentration, and enhance collaboration around addressing microplastics in Gulf Coast communities, specifically urban communities, communities that are predominantly Black, and rural, isolated communities.

Operation TRAP (Trash Reduction for Aquatic Preserves)

University of Florida: $747,000
Funding Source: Marine Debris Removal Competition

This project will install trash capture devices, litter booms, and monofilament collection bins to intercept litter in partnership with local governments and state aquatic preserves in Pasco and Levy Counties. The project will also develop a toolkit on the implementation of litter interception technologies for municipalities, which will allow the program to expand into other counties.

Capacity Expansion to Support Habitat Restoration and Resilience in the Gullah Geechee Corridor

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor: $536,000
Funding Source: Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor will create new staff positions to expand their work creating a plan for restoration and resilience across the Corridor, which stretches from North Carolina through Florida. The new positions will help build relationships between restoration organizations and Gullah Geechee communities, identify the resilience priorities of community members, and form local advisory committees to support future restoration efforts.

Your Shores: Coastal Habitat Restoration Upward Bound Math and Science Program

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science: $497,000
Funding Source: Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science will restore coastal habitat in northern Miami-Dade County while providing high school students with paid, immersive opportunities in the restoration field. Students will receive training and hands-on experience in restoring coral reefs, mangroves, and beach dunes in Haulover Park, one of the longest remaining stretches of undeveloped beachfront in the county.

North Port Saint Joe Stormwater Management

City of Port St. Joe: $280,000
Funding Source: Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities

The City of Port St. Joe, Florida, will gather critical data needed to finalize the design for nature-based solutions to address frequent flooding impacting homes and infrastructure in the North Port St. Joe neighborhood. They will engage community members and partners in understanding the study’s findings and their implications for designing future restoration projects.

Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources. See how NOAA science, services, and stewardship benefit your community: Visit noaa.gov for our latest news and features, and join us on social media.

Source: Clean Technica