The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $900,000 in federal funding to the state of mississippi through the bipartisan infrastructure law

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing a $900,000 Cooperative Agreement award under the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) program to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR). The funding will build the capacity of MDMR's state coastal management program to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Specifically, MDMR will use the $600,000 in obligated funds to support the restoration of Met Station Island, including innovative shoreline design to create diamondback terrapin nesting habitat and comprehensive ecological monitoring. This 3-year award, running from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027, represents a key effort by NOAA to support state-level coastal management and resilience initiatives through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding will build the capacity of mississippis federally-approved coastal management program within the mississippi department of marine resources (DMR) to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through funding opportunities connected to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, DMR will use these funds to support the restoration of met station island, which is a key resource for DMR and the grand BAY national estuarine research reserve. Restoration will include innovative shoreline design that supports diamondback terrapin nesting habitat, and will provide an opportunity to initiate comprehensive monitoring to understand the ecological function of created marsh.