The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Commerce Department are making up to $54 million available via two notices of funding opportunity (NOFOs) to bolster marine debris removal efforts for coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.
[Above photo via NOAA]
Those two new funding opportunities allow the agency to support large-scale marine debris removal projects, as well as the installation, monitoring and maintenance of proven marine debris interception technologies, NOAA said.
The NOFOs are part of NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA; a program focused on creating climate solutions by building resilience to coastal hazards such as extreme weather events, pollution, and marine debris; restoring coastal habitats; building the capacity of underserved communities; and supporting community-driven restoration.
“Marine debris threatens the health, productivity and overall economic viability of coastal communities throughout the nation,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in a statement.
“These new funding opportunities … will help strengthen our coastal infrastructure, keep debris from entering our waterways, and help protect our public health and marine ecosystems,” she added.
The two funding opportunities are:
- Marine Debris Removal, which prioritizes large-scale removal projects that focus on marine debris that is generally unable to be collected by hand, including abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear and other large debris. Letters of Intent are due on September 27.
- Marine Debris Interception Technologies, which prioritizes the installation, monitoring and maintenance of proven interception technologies that capture marine debris at or close to known debris sources or pathways. Letters of Intent are due on October 9.
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