Habitat Conservation

To provide grants and cooperative agreements for habitat conservation activities including coastal and marine habitat restoration and protection. Projects are funded to carry out public policy pertaining to protection and restoration of the Nation's

To provide grants and cooperative agreements for habitat conservation activities including coastal and marine habitat restoration and protection. Projects are funded to carry out public policy pertaining to protection and restoration of the Nation's wetlands, rivers, and other coastal habitats (including Great Lakes habitats), pursuant to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act as reauthorized in 2006; Endangered Species Act; Marine Mammal Protection Act; Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA); Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA); Inflation Reduction Act; Oil Pollution Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); Clean Water Act; Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act); and other legislation. Outcomes of most grants and cooperative agreements are tracked as habitat acres restored or stream miles opened to fish passage. Other goals may vary, as stated in published Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs).

Eligible applicants for assistance include State and local governments, including their universities and colleges; U.S. territorial agencies; federally and State-recognized Indian Tribal governments; private universities and colleges; private profit and nonprofit research and conservation organizations, and/or individuals, as stated in the NOFO.

This program benefits Federal, State, and interstate marine resource conservation and management agencies; U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States; U.S. and foreign commercial and recreational fishing industries; conservation organizations, academic institutions; international and Indian Tribal treaties; private and public research groups; consumers; and the general public, as stated in the NOFO.

Funds can be used by recipients to support a wide variety of habitat restoration and conservation projects, public education activities, and research for marine and estuarine habitats, especially for species currently under, or proposed for, Federal or inter-jurisdictional management. Restoration includes, but is not limited to, activities that contribute to the return of degraded or altered marine, estuarine, coastal, and freshwater (diadromous fish) habitats to a close approximation of their function prior to disturbance or that increase the ability of fish to move freely between habitats they rely on for food, growth, reproduction, and other needs. Habitat restoration activities that produce significant ecological habitat features to create buffers or "green infrastructure" that serve to protect coastal communities from sea level rise, coastal storms and flooding, or that provide adaptation to climate change are also included. Projects funded under this CFDA primarily support NOAA's mission to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. Projects are expected to achieve measurable, sustainable, and lasting benefits. Applicants seeking funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are expected to invest public dollars equitably, create good jobs with high labor standards, ensure goods and services are made in America, and build infrastructure that is resilient and helps combat the climate crisis.

Awards are normally for 24-48 month periods (and up to 60 months), and vary by specific funding opportunity. Award funds must be spent in the indicated budget period and expended in accordance with DOC/NOAA finance and reporting procedures. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Funds are released as needed through the automated Treasury.gov system (ASAP) or by reimbursement, as indicated in the Standard Terms and Conditions document required for each grant.

Preapplication coordination is encouraged, and contacts are listed in the NOFO. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Applications are reviewed based on NOAA's standard criteria which are weighted as described in specific NOFOs. These criteria include: Importance and Applicability; Technical/Scientific Merit; Overall Qualifications of Applicants; Project Costs; and Outreach and Education. For CWPPRA, the projects to be funded are selected through an annual, publicly-vetted process and ultimately approved by a multi-agency Task Force. Regardless of source, applications must undergo rigorous technical review and comply with all DOC, and NOAA grants policies and procedures.

Proposals are subject to review for technical merit, soundness of design, competency of the applicant to perform the proposed work, potential contribution of the project to national or regional goals, and appropriateness and reasonableness of proposed costs, as described in the NOFO. Projects approved for funding will be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division for review and approval.

A date range will change depending on the review process. Usually within 180 calendar days from the receipt of a complete and acceptable application but may exceed that timeline.

No renewal. However, an approved on-going project can be extended by submission of an amendment request. Multiple year awards of up to five years may be approved. Funding for multi-year projects beyond the first year is contingent upon the availability of program funds in subsequent fiscal years, and the extent to which the recipient meets project objectives and reporting requirements.

No formal appeal procedure. If application is unacceptable the reasons are fully stated to the applicant. If the applicant desires to resubmit application, project must be revised in accordance with recommended changes.