This financial assistance award will provide direct assistance to the US virgin islands department of planning and natural resources to remove approximately 50 run-down and abandoned boats from the…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program (CFDA 11.999) awarded a cooperative agreement of $1,848,877 to the Executive Office of the Government of the Virgin Islands, Division of Coastal Zone Management, effective November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2028. The primary deliverable under this award is the removal of approximately 50 run-down and abandoned boats from the territorial waters of St. Croix and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a secondary objective of supporting at least 4 jobs through project execution.

This cooperative agreement aligns with NOAA's Marine Debris Program mission to identify, assess, reduce, and prevent marine debris and its adverse impacts on coastal environments and marine resources. The Division of Coastal Zone Management, which operates as Planning & Natural Resources, brings demonstrated expertise in marine debris removal and coastal zone management to execute this initiative as part of the territory's broader commitment to environmental stewardship and resource protection across the U.S. Virgin Islands' marine ecosystem.

This financial assistance award will provide direct assistance to the US virgin islands department of planning and natural resources to remove approximately 50 run-down and abandoned boats from the waters of ST. Croix and ST. John while supporting at least 4 jobs.