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

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $2.414 million to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources through the Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards program (CFDA 11.419) via a Cooperative Agreement effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. This award supports administration of Indiana's federally approved coastal management program and funds a comprehensive suite of coastal protection and restoration initiatives focused on Lake Michigan health, resilience, and responsible resource development. Key deliverables include dune restoration projects, derelict structure removal, public access improvements such as an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant boardwalk at Coffee Creek in Chesterton, and ongoing administration of coastal grants and regional coordination within the Great Lakes region.

The award also supports multiple local projects and initiatives, including the annual Indiana Audubon Migratory Bird Count, site monitoring and outreach activities at the JD Marshall and Muskegon shipwreck sites, a city tree inventory update for Hobart, expanded programming at Porter County Parks, and removal of intrusive pipe infrastructure at Muskegon Nature Preserve. The $2.414 million federal investment leverages an additional $1.168 million in state and local matching funds, supporting job creation and sustainable coastal management practices across the state.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing ongoing funding through the national coastal zone management program to the state of indiana to help administer the states 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 $2,414,000 is leveraging over $1,168,000 in state and local funds. These funds will support jobs and provide continued assistance to the indiana coastal management program to address many important coastal issues in the state including the health and resilience of lake michigan, dune restoration, derelict structure removal, and improving public access. For example, one project will construct an ADA-compliant boardwalk at coffee creek in the town of chesterton. The funding also supports ongoing coastal assistance through the administration of coastal grants and continued government coordination in the great lakes region. The award is also funding a number of local projects or initiatives including: supporting the annual indiana audubon migratory bird count; conduct site monitoring and outreach activities at the JD marshall and muskegon shipwreck sites; conduct an update of the city of hobarts current tree inventory; expanding programming at porter county parks; and support the removal of intrusive pipe infrastructure at muskegon nature preserve.