Funding / National Estuarine Research Reserve System
National Estuarine Research Reserve System
Awards Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
For this Habitat Protection and Restoration Award competition, the focus is on coastal habitat restoration, including ecosystem conservation and habitat restoration planning, engineering, and design, and habitat restoration implementation. Recipients are a reserve’s lead state agency or university and their eligible partners. Five coastal zone management and research reserve land acquisition projects closed within the first year, protecting over 5,246 acres of habitat while reducing flood risk for nearby communities and providing water quality and recreational benefits.
See Funded ProjectsProject Examples
Washington
Padilla Bay Reserve will permanently protect and restore almost 75 acres of vital tidal marsh.
Alaska
Kachemak Bay Reserve will acquire 55 acres of peatland, which soak up stormwater and protect fish and wildlife.
Rhode Island
Narragansett Bay Reserve will address sea level rise by protecting and restoring coastal wetland habitats.
California
Reserve will restore iconic coastal habitats while engaging community groups, including Native American tribal members.
By the Numbers
The below numbers reference coastal zone management and research reserve programs combined.
- In 2022, 95 letters of intent were received, requesting more than $222 million. In 2023, 97 letters of intent were received, requesting more than $227 million.
- In 2023, $70.3 million was awarded to coastal zone management and research reserves to fund 33 projects.
- Six land acquisition projects closed within the first year, protecting over 5,246 acres of habitat, and also providing recreational benefits and water quality benefits, and lessening coastal flooding impacts.
Additional Resources
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Impact Stories
