This cooperative agreement is provided to university of southern maine through the university of maine system to support implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) through the casco BAY…

This cooperative agreement is provided to university of southern maine through the university of maine system to support implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) through the casco BAY estuary partnership (cbep) casco BAY plan, i.e., their comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp). The goal is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the estuary and support its sustainable human uses through tasks outlined in this bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) workplan of the cbep and its partners. Cbep has designed eight programs that provide structure for the five-to-seven-year spending plan for BIL funding. The eight programs address long-standing and emerging needs for management of casco BAY as identified by cbep, with the advice of partners and members of the management committee. These programs support habitat restoration, resilience and conservation; enhance monitoring and science to guide future management; and assist communities addressing climate resilience and water needs.activities:year 1 activities include expanding the long-running habitat protection fund; facilitation of land conservation partnerships and coalitions through additional staff hires; supporting efforts by local governments to address resilience, water quality, and habitat issues; development of a monitoring infrastructure grants program will offer grants to cover a portion of the costs of expanded monitoring capacity in the region; and the development of a modern hydrodynamic model of casco BAY that is designed to addresses multiple regulatory, scientific, climate resilience and municipal interests and needs.subrecipient:cbep will partner with the northeast regional association of coastal ocean observing systems (neracoos) and university of massachusetts, dartmouth to develop a high-resolution submodel of the northeast coastal ocean forecasting system that will cover casco BAY. The model will address 'wetting and drying' of intertidal zones to model water movement in the eastern and northern BAY, where extensive tidal flats have a strong impact on water movement. The data will also incorporate data on topography of the shore to assess flooding and climate change risks. Cbep will provide $186,826 as a subaward to neracoos. Outcomes:anticipated deliverables/outcomes include: funding support for three to five habitat protection projects; creation of a new casco BAY estuary partnership (cbep) restoration/resilience working group; fund development of a high-resolution casco BAY hydrodynamic model by the northeast regional association of coastal ocean observing systems and university of massachusetts dartmouth; increased engagement with smaller towns in the casco BAY watershed, especially communities in middle and upper watershed with whom cbep has not already developed strong working ties; increased monitoring capabilities in the casco BAY region direct beneficiaries of this program include residents of the casco BAY watershed study area in maine and the ecosystems and users of ecosystem services.