The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is making up to $54 million in grant funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address marine debris throughout the United States, including within the Great Lakes and U.S. overseas territories.
According to the agency, these grant opportunities allow NOAA to support large-scale marine debris removal projects, as well as the installation, monitoring and maintenance of proven marine debris interception technologies. The funding opportunities are a part of NOAA’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative.
Funding will be made available for two separate programs. One will focus on marine debris removal, which prioritizes large-scale removal projects, such as abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear and other large debris.
Money also is available for marine debris interception technologies, which prioritize the installation, monitoring and maintenance of proven interception technologies that capture marine debris at or close to known debris sources, NOAA said.
The agency plans to consider requests individually and will select projects for funding using a competitive merit review process. More details can be found at marinedebris.noaa.gov.