The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $875,000 in federal funding to the state of florida through the inflation reduction act

This funding will build the ability of the floridas department of environmental protection (fldep) within the florida coastal management program (fcmp) to implement projects, initiatives, and programs that increase the climate resilience of coastal communities within coastal counties. Specifically, the fcmp intends to utilize this funding to increase staffing capacity to focus on the identification, prioritization, and implementation of habitat acquisition and conservation projects that meet the criteria outlined in the IIJA funding and further the coastal community resilience, conservation and protection goals of the state. The first project focuses on dune restoration, hydrologic connection and reforestation project in gulf county, florida. Furthermore, fcmpadministers two competitive subgrant programs through the coastal partnership initiative (CPI)and the partner agency grant (PAG) program. Funds would be used to focus on activities that protect, promote, and preserve the states coastal resources, and both are evaluated and scored/ranked by interagency committees. In addition, the fcmp is developing a pilot grant program for underserved communities.