Funding
NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) partners with federal agencies and state and local governments to provide federal funding and technical assistance to better manage our nation’s coastal resources. In fiscal year 2008, OCRM will distribute $68.3 million to state coastal programs for implementation of their state management programs and nonpoint source programs. We will provide National Estuarine Research Reserves with $23.5 million and our partner, the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Technology (CICEET), with $6.5 million to support innovative research and the application of new environmental technologies and techniques. The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) will provide $8 million to state and local governments to protect coastal and estuarine habitats. The Marine Protected Areas Center's $1.5 million will support continued work with state, federal, and tribal agencies and stakeholders to finalize the framework and science to establish a National System of MPAs. The Coral Program, in FY08, is expected to distribute $29.3 million to partners within NOAA and to coastal states and territories to assist with coral reef conservation activities.
Coastal Management Programs: The nation's 34 state and territory Coastal Zone Management Programs receive funds to protect, restore, and responsibly develop the nation's important and diverse coastal communities and resources. Under these programs, states and territories agree to work toward balancing the conservation and development of coastal resources using state and territorial management authorities, thereby providing for the sustainable development of the nation's coasts.
National Estuarine Research Reserves: The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a partnership program between NOAA and the coastal states that protects more than a million acres of estuarine land and water. The NERR System provides funding for operations, local research, education, graduate research fellowships, system-wide monitoring, and the coastal training program.
Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation: The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) provides funding to state and local governments to protect coastal and estuarine habitats considered important for their ecological, conservation, recreational, historical or aesthetic value. In fiscal year 2008, $8 million will fund projects in 3 coastal states.
Marine Protected Areas Center: The Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center focuses on collaborations to provide information and technical support for effective MPA systems. The West Coast Pilot, a federal-state-private partnership, is developing common information about natural and cultural resources, human use of marine resources, and regional governance to establish a common information base for the California-Oregon-Washington marine region.
Coral Reef Conservation Program: The Coral Reef Conservation Program provides funding to over 35 offices across NOAA for coral reef conservation activities and supports three coral reef research institutes. In addition, the program coordinates two external grants programs that fund governments, academic institutions, fisheries management councils, non-government organizations and community groups.