Delaware coastal zone management program infrastructure capacity-building project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $900,000 in federal funding to the…

Delaware coastal zone management program infrastructure capacity-building project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $900,000 in federal funding to the state of delaware through the bipartisan infrastructure law over the next three years. This funding will build the capacity of the states federally approved management program within the department of natural resources and environmental control (DNREC) to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through funding opportunities connected to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, DNREC will use these funds to hire contractual staff to impact habitat restoration and conservation projects for the entirety of delaware. During the period of this grant, funds will support the contractual hire and supplies needed for three kent conservation district employees who will increase the capacity of delaware to prepare for, apply for, manage, and monitor BIL funded restoration and land conservation projects. The three positions consist of a restoration project coordinator, restoration scientist, and a permitting planner. The three positions would be tasked with developing priority lists, developing proposals, project management, creating monitoring plans, implementing plans, establishing best management practices and transferring knowledge, as well as enabling local and regional restoration partnerships to name a few. DNREC feels very strongly that community and stakeholder engagement is a priority, so there will be job duties assigned to these positions to engage with the delaware community to allow for landscape scale prioritization and project discussions. These positions will help DNREC build capacity among its networked divisions to apply for and enact federally funded habitat restoration and conservation projects that will impact delawareans for generations to come. Additionally, best management practices and lessons learned will be developed from restoration projects that will be disseminated to other land stewards to further the reach of these capacity funds.