US FUNDING FOR MARINE HABITAT RESTORATION

US funding for marine habitat restoration. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA has announced the availability of up to $4 million in Community-based Restoration Programme funding for new coastal and marine habitat restoration projects in 2020.

They are seeking proposals from non-federal partners for projects that will help recover threatened and endangered species and promote sustainable fisheries. They will also continue funding 19 projects selected in 2019.

A NOAA statement said: “Investing in habitat restoration and recovery projects leads to real, lasting differences for communities, businesses, and the environment. By removing dams and other barriers, restoring coral and oyster reefs, and rebuilding coastal wetlands, selected projects will not just support protected resources and sustainable fisheries. They will also yield community and economic benefits, such as increased coastal resilience and recreational opportunities.

“This funding opportunity requires a pre-proposal. The pre-proposals will help determine if proposed projects are well-suited for this specific funding competition and if a full proposal is warranted. Pre-proposals are due January 8, 2019. Applicants who are successful in the pre-proposal process will be eligible to submit full proposals, with a deadline in April 2020.

“NOAA will not accept proposals with a federal funding request of less than $75,000 or more than $3 million over a three-year award period. For more information, view the Fiscal Year 2020 Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Grants funding opportunity.

“Since 1996, the Community-based Restoration Programme has provided more than $196 million to implement more than 2,150 coastal habitat restoration projects. Partnering with more than 2,900 organizations, we have restored more than 90,000 acres of habitat for fish and opened 4,070 stream miles for fish passage.”