NOAA Seeks Alaska Fisheries Habitat Restoration Proposals

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Community-based Restoration Program is seeking locally-driven habitat restoration grant proposals that will benefit marine ecosystems in Alaska.

"We hope to inspire projects that not only improve the health of marine habitats, but also foster a sense of stewardship in the community," said NOAA Fisheries' Assistant Regional Administration for Habitat Conservation, Jon Kurland.

Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000 for nonfederal organizations and local communities. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a minimum one-to-one non-Federal match. Projects funded through the Community-based Restoration Program will have strong on-the-ground restoration components that provide educational and social benefits for people and their communities in addition to long-term habitat improvements for marine fish, anadromous species and other NOAA trust resources.

Traditionally, the NOAA Community-based Restoration Program has supported hands-on community efforts to restore riparian vegetation and degraded streambanks, replant seagrass and recreate shellfish beds in damaged intertidal areas and repair coastlines impacted by human use. NOAA plans to award money to similar projects in 2005. Community-based projects currently funded in Alaska include: anadromous fish passage restoration in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, riparian and streambank restoration on the Kenai River, and watershed-based restoration of Duck Creek in Juneau.

Once proposals are submitted to the Community-based Restoration Program they are reviewed for technical merit, resource benefits, level of community and partnership involvement and educational opportunities.

Community groups and youth organizations play an active role in developing project ideas, constructing and completing projects and monitoring project success. This active community involvement promotes stewardship, environmental education and a conservation ethic. Partnerships, on a regional and national level, expand funds available for restoration. Contributions of land, work-force support, technical support, and other services are also shared by partnerships, creating an even deeper and more meaningful sense of involvement.

Since 1996, the Community-based Restoration Program has provided funding and technical support to community organizations across the nation in order to effectively restore marine, estuarine and riparian habitats. More than 800 projects have been implemented using NOAA funding and support leveraged from national and regional partners. Outside Alaska, previous projects have included restoration of anadromous watersheds in Puget Sound and the rebuilding of oyster reefs in Alabama's coastal regions.

For copies of the grant announcement, application materials or additional funding information, contact Erika Phillips at (907) 586-7312. This information is also available online: Grant Announcement and Funding Opportunities.

NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources through scientific research, management, enforcement and the conservation of marine mammals and other protected marine species and their habitat.

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:
NOAA Restoration Center and the Community-based Restoration Program - http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration