On June 6, 2023, NOAA announced the launch of a $2.6 billion framework to support coastal resilience and climate planning for coastal communities, Tribes, and other vulnerable populations, providing these groups with resources to prepare, adapt, and build resilience to weather and climate events while strengthening workforce development, marine resources, nature-based solutions, conservation, regional partnerships, and Tribal priorities. The framework complements funds already appropriated to NOAA under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and forms part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda. Section 40001 of the IRA appropriates the funding for this framework.
The framework funds projects to help protect communities from storms and flooding, provides technical assistance to coastal communities for capacity building, and supports the creation of climate-related jobs. The programs funded include:
1) Climate Resilience Regional Challenge ($575 million): a new competitive grant program investing in holistic, collaborative regional approaches to coastal resilience.
2) Tribal Priorities ($390 million): funds tribal habitat restoration, fish passage, capacity building, science, fish hatcheries, and Pacific salmon.
3) Climate-Ready Fisheries ($349 million): supports projects to conserve fisheries and protect coastal species.
4) Ocean-Based Climate Resilience Accelerators ($100 million): a new competitive business accelerator program.
5) Climate-Ready Workforce ($60 million): facilitates placing workers in jobs enhancing climate resilience.