Federal Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 awarded the Center for Inland Bays a $910,000 Project Grant under the National Estuary Program (CFDA 66.456) effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. This award, funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), supports implementation of the Delaware Inland Bays' Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and Strategic Plan. The Center will deliver habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and resource protection services through multiple coordinated projects, including oyster reef recruitment, submerged aquatic vegetation expansion, land acquisition, and infrastructure improvements at the James Farm Ecological Preserve.

Key deliverables include establishing an experimental larval oyster settlement trial, assessing and establishing submerged aquatic vegetation habitat, developing a native plant nursery program, and strengthening the volunteer science program. The Center will also enhance capacity for education, outreach, and monitoring while promoting coastal stewardship. These activities directly support improved shoreline resilience, nutrient reduction, and habitat protection across the estuary. No sub-awards are included in this assistance agreement. The award reflects EPA's commitment to ecosystem-based management approaches for protecting nationally significant estuarine resources and engaging multi-sector partners—including state and federal agencies, stakeholders, nonprofits, and citizens—in collaborative estuary restoration efforts.