The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $600,000 in federal funding to the state of rhode island 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 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). This funding will build the capacity of the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NBNERR) to plan and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Specifically, the award will cover a 5-year project coordinator position and establish a regional resilience coordinator role to support the development of land protection and habitat restoration projects in collaboration with Rhode Island municipalities and the state's Chief Resilience Officer. Additionally, the award will fund the involvement of NBNERR staff in the management of these Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects. The period of performance for this $600,000 Cooperative Agreement is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

This funding will build the capacity of the narragansett BAY national estuarine research reserve (NERR) within the rhode island department of environmental management (RIDEM) to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through funding opportunities connected to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, the narragansett BAY NERR will use these funds to support personnel to work on project development and management tasks. The requested funds will cover the remaining term of a 5-year project coordinator position at the narragansett BAY national estuarine research reserve (NBNERR) and will establish a regional resilience coordinator position to support the development of BIL land protection and habitat restoration projects in collaboration with rhode island municipalities and the states chief resilience officer. Additionally, the award will fund the involvement of NBNERR staff, including the coastal training program coordinator and stewardship coordinator, in the development and management of these BIL projects.