WASHINGTON – Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced nearly $220 million for 32 new habitat restoration projects across the country. The grants are supported by funding allocated in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), as well as the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, both of which Ocean Conservancy advocated for strongly. Jeff Watters, Ocean Conservancy’s vice president of external affairs, issued the following statement:

“Our coasts are the gateway to our ocean and on the front lines of climate change impacts. We are grateful to NOAA for investing in coastal habitat restoration. Projects like those announced today will pay dividends for decades to come, protecting coastal communities and helping ocean and coastal wildlife to flourish. These grants to safeguard our ocean ecosystems, coasts, and communities – especially historically underserved communities – are a defining legacy of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will benefit all of us.”

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NOTES FOR REPORTERS

• NOAA has indicated that the selected projects will affect Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
• Improving coastal climate resilience is a key part of the White House’s 2023 Ocean Climate Action Plan (see page 60).

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Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.