The NOAA Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) provides funding and technical expertise for community-driven, small dam and river barrier removals, primarily in coastal states. The Federal Funding Opportunity (link below) describes the conditions under which applications (project proposals) will be accepted under the ORI and describes criteria under which applications will be evaluated for funding consideration. Projects are expected to provide an economic boost for communities, enhance public safety, and improve populations of NOAA trust resources such as striped bass, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic and Pacific salmon, American eel, American shad, blueback herring, and alewife. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a cooperative agreement.
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River herring swim up the Kennebec River in Maine to reach spawning grounds |