NOAA Fisheries seeking proposals for a total of $4 million in 2020 grants to be awarded for coastal and marine habitat restoration projects.
Those eligible are non-federal partners for projects that will help recover threatened and endangered species and promote sustainable fisheries.
Meanwhile NOAA is continuing funds for 19 projects selected in 2019.
Pre-proposals due by Jan. 8 will help determine the suitability of the project and whether a full proposal is warranted. Those whose pre-proposals are successful must then submit full proposals for an April date to be announced. Amounts sought through these grants may range from a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $3 million over a three-year award period.
More information on the grants is at fisheries.noaa.gov/grant.
Since 1996, the Community-based Restoration Program has provided over $196 million for more than 2,150 coastal habitat restoration projects. Partnered with more than 2,900 organizations, NOAA has restored to date over 90,000 acres of habitat for fish and opened 4,070 stream miles for fish passage.
Among the past winners was the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, which was awarded $600,000 in 2017 to replace two undersized culverts and reroute one road. The goal of the project was to restore access to nine upstream miles and 130 lake acres to multiple salmon species, for the benefit of both salmon and Cook Inlet beluga whales who rely on salmon as a food source.
