A $2.6 billion framework of federal funds announced on Tuesday are to be invested in coastal resilience for the benefit of coastal communities impacted by climate change, including nearly $400 million specifically for tribal priorities.
Additional investments from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will pay for improved weather and climate data and services, support the Biden-Harris Administration’s America the Beautiful conservation initiative, and strengthen NOAA’s fleet of research aircraft and ships used to collect data about the ocean and atmosphere.
The IRA funds will complement the investments already outlined in the nearly $3 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding, including the $562 million in Climate-Ready Coasts awards announced in April.
“As part of our more than $2.6 billion investment in regional coastal resiliency and conservation projects, we will be dedicating $390 million directly to tribal priorities for habitat restoration and bolstering fish populations, and supplying crucial funding to ensure our coastal communities are better prepared for the effects of climate change,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
This investment will help ensure communities, especially tribes and vulnerable populations, have the resources and support needed to prepare, adapt and build resilience to weather and climate events as well as strengthen workforce development, marine resources, nature-based solutions, conservation, regional partnerships and tribal priorities, NOAA officials said.
The five programs within the NOAA package deal include $575 million for the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge; $390 million for tribal priorities; $349 million for Climate-Ready fisheries; $100 million for Ocean-based Climate Resilience Accelerators; and $60 million for climate ready workforces. Funds allocated for the Ocean-based climate resilience accelerators will support businesses with coastal and ocean-based resilience products and services related to NOAA’s mission. These businesses will help communities prepare for, adapt to, and build resilience to changing climate conditions. Details are to be provided early this summer.
NOAA will also advance existing resilience-related funding opportunities, through programs including the National Oceanographic Partnership Program and Ocean Technology Partnership program.
Other projects listed to receive Inflation Reduction Act funds under the umbrella legislation include the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle.
