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

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing $600,000 in funding through a Cooperative Agreement under the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) program to the State of California. This funding will enable the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve within the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects connected to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Specifically, the award will support four interrelated projects: the Hester Marsh Restoration, North Marsh Restoration, North Monterey County Freshwater Wetland Restoration Planning, and Upland Restoration. The Elkhorn Slough Foundation, a non-profit partner, will receive a $400,000 sub-award to advance the restoration planning for these initiatives. The Cooperative Agreement has a period of performance from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.

This funding will build the capacity of the elkhorn slough national estuarine research reserve within the california department of fish and wildlife to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through funding opportunities connected to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, elkhorn slough national estuarine research reserve will use these funds to enable elkhorn slough nerr staff to make significant progress on four interrelated projects, all of which are supported, or are expected to be supported in the future, by the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) and the inflation reduction act (IRA): the hester marsh restoration project, north marsh restoration project, north monterey county freshwater wetland restoration planning and upland restoration.