The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of pennsylvania to help administer the…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $4.027 million to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through the Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards program (CFDA 11.419) for a two-year cooperative agreement (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2027). This grant supports ongoing administration of Pennsylvania's federally approved Coastal Management Program, which balances economic development with coastal resource protection and restoration. The federal investment leverages $1.96 million in state matching funds to address critical coastal management issues including coastal hazards, wetlands protection, fisheries management, dredging and spoil disposal, port activities, energy facility siting, and ocean resource stewardship.

Pass-through grants to sub-awardees fund targeted projects within Pennsylvania's two coastal zones, including planning, design, engineering, technical assistance, education, outreach, and research activities. Specific deliverables include annual coastal cleanup days, design and engineering services for stream restoration projects, and a trail feasibility study to restore riparian buffers, create or restore wetlands, and implement enhanced stormwater management features. Sub-awardees include the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (supporting Delaware Estuary coastal resource management), Erie Bird Observatory (conducting migratory bird research and coastal habitat assessment), and Schuylkill River Development Corporation (managing riverfront trail and shoreline improvement projects). The program also provides public awareness and engagement through publications, training sessions, public forums, committee participation, and stakeholder outreach initiatives.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of pennsylvania to help administer the pennsylvania federally approved coastal management program. The national coastal zone management program, under the coastal zone management act, is an important voluntary federal-state partnership that protects, restores, and responsibly develops our nations coastal communities and resources by balancing economic development, coastal uses, and natural resource protection. Noaas investment of over $2 million is leveraging over $1.96 million in state funds. These funds will support jobs and provide continued assistance to the pennsylvania coastal management program to address many important coastal issues in the state including coastal hazards, dredging and spoil disposal, fisheries management, wetlands, public access for recreation, historic sites and structures, port activities, energy facility siting, intergovernmental coordination, public involvement, and ocean resources. Pass-through grant awards to sub-grantees are used to fund projects within the two coastal zones and coastal non-point pollution boundaries. These projects include planning, design, engineering, technical assistance, education, outreach, tourism and research. The program also provides public awareness through publications, training sessions, public displays and forums, service on committees and planned outreach and training. Annual coastal cleanup days will be funded along with a design and engineering for stream restoration project and trail feasibility study to soften a hardened shoreline, enhance riparian buffers, restore or create wetlands, and identify extended/enhanced stormwater management features.