In a first-of-its-kind deployment under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, NOAA has awarded approximately $20.5 million for the coordinated management of ocean and coastal resources around the country. The recommended federal funds will significantly enhance existing collaboration between states, tribal governments and the federal government, and provide needed capacity to advance their work.
Through this recommended funding, the awards will support projects to advance regional ocean partnerships and data sharing among ocean users and include the engagement of federally recognized tribes with existing regional ocean partnerships. Regional ocean partnerships are regional organizations convened by governors to work collaboratively across multiple states, in coordination with federal and tribal governments, on common priorities and challenges.
“Advanced climate data is critical to helping communities act on the best available information when disaster strikes,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing the climate crisis, and thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can invest in collecting and disseminating lifesaving data to communities across the country, especially those that are often overlooked and left behind.”
“Equity remains at the heart of all we do at the Commerce Department, and this includes the continued effort towards environmental justice for our tribal communities,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “This funding is a necessary step in building on climate resilience efforts and protecting our coasts.”
“This recommended funding allows communities to better plan for future changes as we build a Climate-Ready Nation,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “NOAA values the contributions of all partners to better understand and manage climate-related risks.”
A total of 13 awards were distributed to tribes and partners:
- $15.7 million went to four existing regional ocean partnerships — the Gulf of Mexico Alliance offsite link, Northeast Regional Ocean Council offsite link, Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean offsite link and West Coast Ocean Alliance offsite link — to address increasing ocean uses, support sustainability, track climate impacts on shifting ecosystems and enhance regional capacity for sharing and integrating federal and non-federal ocean and coastal data.
- $1.1 million will go to four federally recognized tribes or tribal organizations — the Makah Indian Tribe offsite link, Quinault Indian Nation offsite link, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission offsite link and Quileute Tribe offsite link — to support tribal actions related to regional ocean and coastal priorities.
- $3.7 million went to five U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System regional associations — the Alaska Ocean Observing System offsite link, Pacific Islands Ocean Observing Systemoffsite link, Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association offsite link, Great Lakes Observing System offsite link and will soon be awarded to the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing Systemoffsite link — to enhance regional capacity for sharing data and better integration of federal and non-federal data in regions without existing regional ocean partnerships. Funding will also help build new information portals to facilitate data access and data products that support regional coastal, ocean and Great Lakes management priorities.
Project descriptions can be found on NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management website.
