The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $600,000 in federal funding to the mississippi department of marine resources through the bipartisan infrastructure law

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing a $600,000 Cooperative Agreement award through the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR). This funding will build the capacity of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) within MDMR to support the planning of conservation and restoration projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Specifically, the Grand Bay NERR will use these funds to coordinate among state and federal agencies, engage with private landowners, and develop management plans for the larger Grand Bay Savanna Complex (GBSC). The award will support reserve staff efforts to improve access to management units, plan and initiate monitoring to understand management effects, and survey project areas for species of interest. The period of performance for this $400,000 Cooperative Agreement is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

This funding will build the capacity of the grand BAY national estuarine research reserve (NERR) within the mississippi department of marine resources to support the planning of conservation and restoration projects through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, the grand BAY NERR will utilize these funds to continue coordinating among state and federal agencies, engage with private landowners, and develop management plans for the larger gbsc. Funding will support reserve staff efforts to improve access to management units; plan and initiate monitoring to better understand the effects of management actions and inform management plans; and survey project areas for species of interest.