Commonwealth of the northern mariana islands coastal management program infrastructure capacity-building project description: the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a $882,489 Cooperative Agreement under the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) program to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Division of Coastal Resources Management (DCRM). This 3-year award, running from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027, will build the capacity of CNMI's coastal management program to plan and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Specifically, the funding will support one full-time staff position to conduct pre-acquisition planning, due diligence, and the creation of land acquisition plans for identified high-value ecological parcels. Additionally, the DCRM will initiate planning for a beach nourishment and shoreline stabilization pilot project, including soliciting proposals, site identification, environmental assessments, and project design. Both efforts will engage stakeholders to collect input and build support for the proposed projects.

Commonwealth of the northern mariana islands coastal management program infrastructure capacity-building project description: the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $882,489 in federal funding to the commonwealth of the northern mariana islands through the bipartisan infrastructure law. This funding will build the capacity of the commonwealths federally-approved coastal management program within the bureau of environmental and coastal quality, division of coastal resources management to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through funding opportunities connected to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, the division of coastal resources management will use these funds to continue supporting one full-time staff position dedicated to project planning activities supporting the creation of a protected geographical area(s) to protect and/or restore ecosystem services beneficial to the community. This will include pre-acquisition planning and due diligence activities, as well as the creation of individualized land acquisition plans that include detailed strategies for conservation, resource management, and public access for identified parcels that have been assessed and found to be of utmost ecological value. In addition to this effort, the division of coastal resources management will also initiate a separate planning effort for a beach nourishment and shoreline stabilization pilot project through the solicitation of proposals from qualified local firms to develop a comprehensive work plan for this three-phased project, including site identification, and the completion of various environmental assessments and project design plans for permitting. Both projects will engage with stakeholders, partners, and the general public in order to collect input and solicit overall support of the proposed projects.