Tribal Updates Archive

2023 Updates

Now Available: Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for NOAA Vessel Operations

December 21, 2023

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) has prepared a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for NOAA vessel operations in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with OMAO’s ongoing vessel operations as the NOAA fleet is modernized over a 15-year timeframe from 2023 to 2038. 

The Draft PEA examines the environmental effects of OMAO’s operation of NOAA vessels in United States (U.S.) waters, including the oceans from the U.S. baseline, also known as the territorial sea baseline, to the limits of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (U.S. EEZ), and the U.S. portions of the Great Lakes. The geographic scope extends to the international maritime boundaries with Canada and Mexico. The PEA also considers OMAO’s operations in areas outside of U.S. jurisdiction. 

A Notice of Availability for the Draft PEA was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2023 to announce its publication for public review and comment for a period of 41 days. The deadline to submit public comments is January 31, 2024. 

To submit comments on the Draft PEA, send via email to: omaoenvironmental.compliance@noaa.gov.

If you have questions or would like to request a government-to-government consultation or informational briefing, please contact Commander (CDR) Dean Legidakes, Deputy Chief of Staff, OMAO and OMAO Tribal Liaison either by phone at (301) 719-7665 or electronic mail at dean.legidakes@noaa.gov.

Recovering Threatened and Endangered Species Report to Congress 2021–2022

December 21, 2023

NOAA Fisheries has released the Recovering Threatened and Endangered Species Report to Congress. It summarizes our’ efforts to recover all transnational and domestic species under our jurisdiction from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2022. This report summarizes the status of each species that has or will have a recovery plan, the status of the recovery plan, and the completion date for the last 5-year review.

  • NOAA Programs Funding Recovery Actions - Projects funded through these programs often address priority actions identified in recovery plans. They make important contributions to the recovery of listed species.
  • Species Recovery Grants to States Program - This program provides grant funding to partnering state agencies to support management, outreach, research, and monitoring projects that have direct conservation benefits for listed species.

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Clam Garden

December 18, 2023

NOAA helped the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community build the first modern clam garden in the United States. It will provide food for the community, and provide environmental diversity that’s important in the face of climate change. Watch the Video here!

NOAA holding mariner hiring events in Alabama and Louisiana in January

December 11, 2023

NOAA mariner

NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations will hold hiring events in Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, in January to recruit professional mariners to work aboard NOAA’s ocean research ships. Qualified applicants may receive a tentative job offer.

NOAA operates a fleet of 15 hydrographic survey, oceanographic research and fisheries survey vessels. NOAA ships operate in the U.S. and around the world. The ships are run by a combination of NOAA commissioned officers and civilian professional mariners.

NOAA’s civilian professional mariners are federal employees and include engineers, and unlicensed members of the engine, steward and deck departments. In addition, survey and electronic technicians operate and/or maintain the ship's mission, communications and navigation equipment.

In particular, NOAA is hiring for positions in the deck, engine, steward and electronic technician departments.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Please bring a photo I.D. (driver’s license, passport, etc.) to the event. Applicants are also encouraged to bring, if available:

  • Merchant Mariners Credential
  • Maritime training certificates
  • Transportation Worker Identification Card
  • Military service record

WHEN & WHERE

  1. Jan. 23, 2024 at 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    • GulfQuest Museum 
      155 South Water Street 
      Mobile, Alabama 36602
  2. Jan. 25, 2024 at 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    • Delgado Maritime and Industrial Training Center 
      13200 Old Gentilly Road 
      New Orleans, Louisiana 70129 

Please note that you do not need to be present at the hiring events to apply for NOAA ship jobs. Apply online at marinerhiring.noaa.gov

For more information, contact moc.recruiting@noaa.gov or 1-833-SAIL-USA (724-5872) or visit marinerhiring.noaa.gov

U.S. Department of Commerce Tribal Open House

In conjunction with the 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit, the Department of Commerce cordially invites you to an Open House on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, from 12:00 – 2:00 P.M. EST. The Open House will provide an opportunity for tribes to meet with bureau contacts on a specific issue in which they are engaged and continue to identify, assess, and address issues.

See here for more information including the link to register.

Responsible Parties Reach Settlement for More Than $33 Million to Restore Natural Resources in Portland Harbor

November 2, 2023

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced proposed settlements with over 20 companies valued at more than $33 million to resolve their liability for natural resource injuries resulting from the release of hazardous substances into the Portland Harbor Natural Resource Damage Assessment site. The settlement documents are two Consent Decrees that are subject to a 45-day public comment period and final court approval. It is available for viewing here. Please refer to the upcoming Federal Register notice for instructions on submitting any public comments on the settlement. Additional information is available on the Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council website here. If approved (“entered”) the settlement will provide critical habitat restoration for many species in Portland Harbor, including various endangered species of salmon. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a co-Trustee along with the U.S. Department of the Interior; the State of Oregon; the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon; the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon; and the Nez Perce Tribe. 

Local Talent and Indigenous Knowledge Key to Restoring Hawaiʻi Coral Reefs

October 30, 2023

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Photo caption: COAST participants prepare for one of their first restoration dives. From left to right: Baylee Jackson, Pono Okimoto, Denise Oishi (instructor) Ciara Ratum, and Makaio Villanueva. (Photo: Blake Nowack/Kuleana Coral Reefs)

Hawaiʻi coral reefs support vibrant communities of coral, fish, and other ocean life—despite facing increasing threats. That life, in turn, provides Hawaiʻi with an estimated economic value of $863 million annually. For Native Hawaiians, the value of coral runs much deeper. The Kumulipo, a Hawaiian creation chant, explains that all life started with the coral polyp, their earliest ancestor.

To preserve this ecological and cultural heritage, the Office of Habitat Conservation’s Restoration Center is investing $18 million in Hawaiʻi habitat restoration projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Coral reef restoration is still relatively new in Hawaiʻi, so the funds will also support training Native Hawaiians and local residents in underwater coral restoration techniques. 

Kuleana Coral Restoration, the first Native Hawaiian nonprofit dedicated to coral restoration, recently graduated their first cohort of early-career ocean conservationists. With serious problems like warming temperatures, overfishing, land-based pollution, and powerful waves, all hands are needed to protect and restore coral reefs. 

Learn more about this project here.

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comment on Proposed Federal Management of Salmon Fishing in Cook Inlet

October 18, 2023

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposed rule that would implement federal management of commercial and recreational salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone. Previously, salmon management in these federal waters was deferred to the State of Alaska and fishing occurred without respect to the EEZ boundary. Amendment 16 to the Salmon Fishery Management Plan would implement federal management in Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone for the first time in history.

This action—Amendment 16 and the proposed rule—would result in separate federal management of salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ. The State of Alaska would continue to manage all salmon fishing within state waters. 

Read more.

NOAA Opens 60-Day Comment Period for Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska State Waters

October 19, 2023 

Today, NOAA announced a 60-day public comment period to assist with the identification of study areas, data, and analyses relevant to identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska state waters. NOAA is working in partnership with the State of Alaska on this effort, which will only consider invertebrates such as shellfish and sea cucumber and seaweed farming. NOAA will incorporate input from Tribes, State and Federal Agencies, aquaculture stakeholders, and public comments collected through the Request for Information into final study areas. Comments may be submitted through the Federal Register Notice until December 18, 2023.

NOAA will also host two public listening sessions to gather input from those who prefer to submit oral comments.

The listening sessions will occur:

Call-in information for those will be available online here. Following this comment period, and analysis by the agency, NOAA will identify areas that are environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate for commercial aquaculture in Alaska. 

*UPDATED* Co-stewardship Consultations and Engagement on Joint Secretarial Order 3403

10/03/23

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is hosting the consultations and engagement sessions on advancing co-stewardship as outlined in the Joint Secretarial Order 3403.

On November 21, 2022, in coordination with the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture, JSO 3403 was amended to include the Department of Commerce. The purpose of JSO 3403 is to ensure Federal lands and waters are managed in a manner that protects the treaty, religious, subsistence, and cultural interests of federally recognized Indian tribes, including the Native Hawaiian Community, with an emphasis on co-stewardship. NOAA is implementing the directives of JSO 3403 and developing co-stewardship opportunities with federally recognized tribes and Native Hawaiian Community. NOAA is interested in working with tribal members and Native Hawaiians to build our collective understanding of stewardship and co-stewardship and identify ways to advance the goals of JSO 3403 at NOAA and within the Department of Commerce. As part of this process, NOAA would benefit from consultations and engagement on a number of issues related to JSO 3403. See the Dear Tribal Leader Letter, Dear Native Hawaiian Community Leader Letter, Attachment 1, and Attachment 2.

We will hold three formal consultations for tribal representatives on the following dates/times. 

  • October 3, 2023, 1:00-3:00 PM Eastern. Please register here to join. 
  • October 13, 2023, 3:00-5:00 PM Eastern. Please register here to join.
  • October 17, 2023, 3:00-5:00 PM Eastern. Please register here to join. *NEW* [We could no longer hold the October 4 consultation. We apologize for any inconvenience.]

We will hold an engagement for Native Hawaiian representatives on the following dates/times. 

  • October 5, 2023, 3:00-5:00 PM Eastern (9:00 - 11:00 AM Hawa'i). Please register here to join. 

We strongly value your thoughts, knowledge, and input. In addition to providing input through the consultations and engagement, you may provide comments in writing through Thursday, November 9th, 2023. Please send your written submissions to Becky Cruz Lizama, NOAA Senior Tribal Liaison, at OLIA.Tribal@noaa.gov, and identify your submission as “Advancing Co stewardship Consultation/Engagement.”

Listening to the Sounds in the Sea

October 2, 2023

Listening to sounds in the sea

In the postcard is Lindsey Peavey Reeves, NOAA West Coast soundscape project coordinator, inspecting a sound recorder in the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Also shown are fish-eating sea anemones and purple sea urchins on reefs where a recorder picks up data, eavesdropping on fish singing while breeding and listening to whales and other animals migrating through largely unstudied waters. With sound recorders on the ocean floor, scientists listen to the sounds of animals communicating with each other; environmental sounds such as wind and waves; and noise from vessels, research and other human activities, all providing a basis for understanding animal behavior and influences on ecosystems over time. NOAA has placed recorders throughout the National Marine Sanctuary system. To learn more about NOAA's work to better understand underwater sound within the National Marine Sanctuary System, please see here.

Inflation Reduction Act will support NOAA’s efforts to accelerate growth in the ocean and coastal technology and information economy

September 25, 2023

The Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $3.9 million to the Marine Technology Society (MTS) to establish a multi-year framework to engage the Ocean Enterprise as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The Ocean Enterprise includes public, private, non-profit, tribal and academic entities that provide ocean observation, measurement and forecasting data or deliver operational ocean information products and services.

Throughout the project, MTS will work in partnership with NOAA to consolidate recommendations from across the global Ocean Enterprise community and translate them into actionable recommendations, road maps and needs assessments to support the delivery of ocean observing services, the development of the Ocean Enterprise workforce and the enhancement of coastal and ocean climate resilience. These efforts will bring public and private interests in this sector into greater alignment and highlight opportunities for collaboration and support.

See here for more details.

Announcement of NOAA FY24 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Coping with Drought: Building Tribal Drought Resilience

September 21, 2023

The Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $2 million in funding for 3-5 projects to support tribal drought resilience as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, under the Inflation Reduction Act.  Proposals may request funding of up to $700,000 to be disseminated in the first year and expended over three years in the form of cooperative agreements.  These funds will allow Tribal Nations, with support from NOAA, to address current and future drought risk on tribal lands across the Western U.S. to contribute to decision- making and build tribal drought resilience in a changing climate.  

For the purposes of this competition, the “Western U.S.” is considered to be the areas within the following National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Drought Early Warning System regions (https://www.drought.gov/dews): California-Nevada, Intermountain West, Missouri River Basin, Pacific Northwest, and Southern Plains.

If the primary applicant is not a tribal government, full partnership with a Tribal Nation can be demonstrated by: 1) including at least one full investigator on the project representing a federally recognized tribe and 2) indicating through the budget and budget justification that funds are being disseminated to the tribe

To learn more about this opportunity, NIDIS will be hosting the following webinars for potential applicants, and other interested parties. The full grant information can be found on grants.gov under the Grant Opportunity reference NOAA-OAR-CPO-2024-2008188.

  • Public informational webinars 

    • Pre-Letter of Intent informational webinar: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 4pm EDT 

    • Pre-application informational webinar: Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 2pm EDT

Announcement of NOAA FY24 Notice of Funding Opportunity; Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is announcing a new 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity for projects to advance our understanding and prediction of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their impacts in natural field conditions. Projects addressing risks related to subsistence use of specific coastal and marine resources that may be affected by HABs are especially encouraged.

NOAA is making approximately $3 million available through this competition to fund the first year of three to six projects. Support for targeted studies may be requested for up to 3 years duration; regional or cross-regional studies should not exceed 5 years duration. Funding is contingent upon the availability of annual appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024. The deadline for full applications is January 31, 2024. The full Notice of Funding Opportunity is here.

Extension of Equitable Climate Service Delivery Request for Information

September 20, 2023

NOAA extended the comment period for NOAA’s Request for Information (RFI) on Equitable Climate Service Delivery by 30 days! Comments will now be accepted by email at climate.input@noaa.gov or at a public listening session until October 21st, 2023. This RFI seeks feedback on how NOAA can better support the needs of our nation’s communities as they prepare for the impacts of climate change, from flooding to drought to extreme heat - so we can better advance their safety, well-being, and resilience. We want to ensure that we are getting climate data, information, science, and tools into the hands of communities who need it, particularly our most underserved and Tribal and Indigenous communities. 

Building on NOAA’s Climate Equity Roundtables and Pilots, and its efforts to build a Climate Ready Nation, data gathered from the RFI will be used to develop an Action Plan designed to:

  1. Make NOAA’s climate services more accessible, understandable, usable, inclusive of the social and economic impacts of climate change, and capable of addressing complex hazards, and 

  2. Build capacity for and support users of all disciplines and backgrounds, particularly historically underserved communities and Tribal communities, by expanding science literacy and successfully applying climate services to science-based decisions about climate risk and resilience. 

You can read more about the RFI here. We also encourage you to attend one of our public listening sessions. Click here to register for one.

NOAA announces members for the new Marine and Coastal Area-based Management Advisory Committee

September 14, 2023

NOAA announced the members of a new Marine and Coastal Area-based Management Advisory Committee, which will advise NOAA on science-based approaches to area-based protection, conservation, restoration, and management in marine and coastal areas, including the Great Lakes.

Two of the new MCAM members will provide representation from tribal and indigenous communities, specifically Joseph Oatman and Angelo Villagomez. Joe Oatman is a Nez Perce Tribal member and the Deputy Manager and Harvest Director for the Nez Perce Tribal Department of Fisheries Resource Management. Angelo Villagomez was born in a village on an island in the western Pacific Ocean next to the Mariana Trench and is currently serving as a senior fellow Energy and Environment, Center for American Progress.

With this new Advisory Committee, NOAA has convened a group of ocean and Great Lakes experts and stakeholders who represent diverse perspectives on resource management, commercial and recreational fishing, ocean industry, recreation and tourism, conservation, tribal and indigenous communities, youth serving organizations, environmental justice, and individuals with natural and social science expertise. 

For additional details on the Advisory Committee, please refer to the website. 

Funding Available for Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities Under BIL and IRA

$45 million in funding is available for projects that will advance the coastal habitat restoration priorities of tribes and underserved communities. Of the $45 million in funding available, $20 million is specifically available to U.S. federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and organizations that represent tribes through formal legal agreements, through direct awards or subawards. The remaining $25 million will be available to all eligible applicants.

NOAA will accept proposals with a federal funding request of between $75,000 and $3 million total over the award period. Applications are due by December 19, 2023. For more information, view the Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities funding opportunity.

Tribes are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. NOAA can provide assistance to all applicants to best understand what funding opportunities may be more appropriate for their project. 

This funding opportunity will be posted on Grants.gov on September 1. A pre-recorded webinar will be posted online, and interested applicants can attend a public webinar on:

NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) FY24 Education Mini-grant Program

08/30/23

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) is pleased to announce the launch of the FY24 Education Mini-grant Program! The principal objective of this grant opportunity is to provide federal financial assistance to develop ocean and coastal acidification education tools and programs in underserved and/or Indigenous communities or Tribes. To learn more about this federal funded opportunity, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity here. You can also watch a recorded webinar that outlines the required proposal elements and the review process here.

Important dates:

  • Letters of Intent (LOIs) are strongly encouraged, and if submitted must be received by 11:59 pm EST on Friday, September 15th, 2023. Letters of intent are recommended so staff can assist applicants through the federal application process.
  • Full proposals must be received by 11:59 pm on Friday, February 23rd, 2024.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Alex Puritz at alexandra.puritz@noaa.gov. 

North Pacific Fishery Management Council Call for Nominations Resoliciting for the Alaska Native Tribal Seat on the Advisory Council

08/28/23

The Council is soliciting for nominations from Alaska Native Tribes and/or Tribal Consortia for the designated Alaska Native Tribal seat on its Advisory Panel. The Council has established a designated Alaska Native Tribal seat on its Advisory Panel, in order to support engagement of Alaska Native Tribes and communities in the Council process, and to ensure that Tribal Perspectives are included and represented on its Advisory Panel. The new member will serve in the Alaska Native Tribal Seat for a 3-year term beginning in 2024.

The Council has decided to solicit for a new 3-year term to begin in 2024, rather than trying to fill the remaining 2 years of the existing seat. The deadline for nomination materials to the Council for the AP Tribal Seat will be November 17, 2023.

This deadline is two weeks after nominations are due for other Council AP nominations. The intention is to provide Tribes & Tribal Consortia sufficient time to nominate a candidate and for the Council to make all decisions on AP nominations for 2024 at the December Council meeting. Details on how to apply can be found here.

Please reach out to Kate Haapala, Council Tribal/Rural Community Liaison, if you have any questions or would like further information: kate.haapala@noaa.gov or 907-271-2809.

NOAA seeks public comment on Chumash Heritage sanctuary draft proposal

08/24/23

Today, following input from tribal nations, state and federal agencies, Indigenous communities, and the public, NOAA released a proposal to designate a 5,617-square-mile area offshore of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in central California as Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Since day one, President Biden has launched the most ambitious climate and conservation agenda in history. This designation would advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s America the Beautiful initiative, which is supporting locally led conservation efforts across the country with a goal to conserve and restore 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.

The public can comment on the sanctuary proposal through Oct. 23, 2023, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. The docket number is NOAA-NOS-2021-0080. In addition, NOAA will host two in-person and one virtual public comment meetings during which members of the public can offer oral comments. To facilitate public understanding of NOAA’s proposed action, NOAA will also host two in-person informational workshops and one virtual informational webinar approximately two weeks in advance of the public comment meetings. Detailed information on the dates, times, and locations for public meetings is available at: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/chumash-heritage/.

Tribal Input on Inflation Reduction Act: NOAA Executive Summary and Response

NOAA has released the "Tribal Input on Inflation Reduction Act: Executive Summary and Response" document which summarize the input we received from two NOAA-hosted tribal consultations on March 8 and 9, 2023 and 30 day written comment period, including NOAA's response. Learn more about NOAA's priorities under the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Tribal Input on BIL/IIJA Tribal Provisions: NOAA Executive Summary and Response

NOAA has released the "Tribal Input on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Tribal Provisions: Executive Summary and Response" document which summarizes the input we received from two NOAA-hosted tribal listening sessions and 60 day written comment period, including NOAA's response. The comments will help inform how NOAA executes these provisions with tribal nations over the next five years. 

Updated Tribal Consultation Handbook and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) guidance

In response to E.O. 13175 and the Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships, NOAA has, in consultation with Federally Recognized Tribes, updated its Tribal Consultation Handbook and IK guidance. Collectively, these documents will serve as a reference and the vital foundation of NOAA’s work to build and strengthen our relationships with Indian tribes, Alaska Natives,  and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders. 

Please refer to the following documents:

White House Guidance on Indigenous Knowledge

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Council on Environmental Quality announced the release of the Guidance on December 1, 2022 at the White House Tribal Nations Summit in furtherance of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to building a new era of Nation-to-Nation engagement with Tribes and advancing equity and opportunity for Tribal Nations and Indigenous People.  It applies to all executive branch agencies as they carry out their responsibilities under their organic acts and enabling legislation, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other laws.  

Please find attached White House Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Indigenous Knowledge (Guidance), Implementation Memorandum, and Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation.

Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Revise the Guidelines for National Standards 4, 8, and 9 

NOAA Fisheries released an advance notice of a proposed rule and is seeking public comment on the need for potential revisions to the Guidelines for National Standards 4, 8, and 9 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Since the National Standards 4, 8, and 9 Guidelines were last revised, a number of fishery management issues—including those related to climate-ready fisheries and equity and environmental justice—suggest a need to revisit the guidelines to ensure they remain appropriate for current U.S. fisheries management. The intent of the proposed rule is to provide background on some of the specific issues under consideration, seek specific input, and provide a general opportunity for public comment. 

FY23-24 Tribal Regional Ocean Partnership BIL Funding

On May 31, 2023, NOAA announced the availability of approximately $1.8 million for federally recognized tribes. This funding is provided with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The focus is on encouraging increased tribal participation with regional ocean partnerships. Funding will support tribal actions related to regional ocean and coastal priorities and will further the coordinated management of ocean resources and data. Funding applications are due at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 30, 2023. You can find more information on these funds at coast.noaa.gov/funding/infrastructure.html. If you have questions, please contact rop.iija@noaa.gov.  

Also, NOAA will be holding a live question and answer session for interested applicants on June 21, 2023, 1:00-2:00 pm eastern time. Pre-registration is required here. There will be no formal presentation at this live session, and participants are welcome to join and drop off at any time during the hour to ask their questions.

NOAA awards $20.5 million for ocean and coastal resource management

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support regional partnerships, federally-recognized tribes

In a first-of-its-kind deployment under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, today NOAA announced the award of approximately $20.5 million for the coordinated management of ocean and coastal resources around the country. The recommended federal funds will significantly enhance existing collaboration between states, tribal governments and the federal government, and provide needed capacity to advance their work.

Photo: North Cove, Washington shoreline stabilization project. (Credit: Preston Martin, New Fields)

Through this recommended funding, the awards will support projects to advance regional ocean partnerships and data sharing among ocean users, and include the engagement of federally recognized tribes with existing regional ocean partnerships. Regional ocean partnerships are regional organizations convened by governors to work collaboratively across multiple states, in coordination with federal and tribal governments, on common priorities and challenges.

“Advanced climate data is critical to helping communities act on the best available information when disaster strikes,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing the climate crisis, and thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can invest in collecting and disseminating lifesaving data to communities across the country, especially those that are often overlooked and left behind.”

“Equity remains at the heart of all we do at the Commerce Department, and this includes the continued effort towards environmental justice for our tribal communities,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “This funding is a necessary step in building on climate resilience efforts and protecting our coasts.”

“This recommended funding allows communities to better plan for future changes as we build a Climate-Ready Nation,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “NOAA values the contributions of all partners to better understand and manage climate-related risks.”

A total of 13 awards were distributed to tribes and partners:

Project descriptions can be found on NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management.

2022 Updates

Biden Administration Releases Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook for State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Governments

On January 31, the White House released the first edition of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law guidebook to help state, local, Tribal and territorial governments unlock the benefits from the historic investments in our nation’s infrastructure. The guidebook is a one-stop-shop on the law and contains the most comprehensive information to date on the more than 375 programs included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

NOAA Seeking Input From Tribal Leaders on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which provides more than $13 billion for direct investments in Tribal communities across the country. The investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act underscore the importance of the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) mission to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.  Over the next five years, NOAA expects to have funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will be of interest to Tribal communities.  

NOAA wants to engage interested tribes in a sustained dialogue about this funding. Right now, we are seeking tribal input to inform early planning decisions. We will also keep Tribal leaders informed as dates and deadlines are determined.

To inform our discussions, there is additional information on three provisions of the law that authorize NOAA to provide funding to tribes. Although this request focuses on three specific provisions in the law, we are open to verbal and written input on other NOAA provisions of the infrastructure bill. The three provisions are listed below.

  • $400 million to enhance fish passage by removing barriers and providing technical assistance under the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (15% of funding for tribes). These funds will support projects that eliminate in-stream barriers to restore fish passage and help protect and restore habitats that sustain fisheries, recover protected species, and maintain resilient ecosystems and communities. 
  • $172 million to support recovery efforts for Pacific coastal salmon. These investments will protect, restore, and conserve Pacific salmon and steelhead and their habitats through competitive funding to the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and California and Federally recognized tribes of the Columbia River and Pacific Coast (including Alaska), or their representative tribal commissions and consortia.
  • $56 million for established Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs). This funding will support coordinated interstate and intertribal management of ocean and coastal resources and implement their priority actions, including to enhance associated sharing and integration of Federal and non-Federal data by ROPs, or their equivalent.

To accommodate numerous locations and ensure everyone’s safety, we will be holding two virtual sessions for tribes scheduled by time zones. We encourage tribes to join the session identified for the time zone in which your Tribal community is located, but feel free to join an alternate session. 

In addition to joining one of the engagement sessions listed below, tribes are welcome to submit written comments to infrastructure.tribal@noaa.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

NOAA held two sessions on February 22 and 23, 2022 to gather feedback. See below for transcripts and recordings from each session and the powerpoint presentation from the sessions. 

February 22 IIJA Listening Session

February 23 IIJA Listening Session

2021 Updates

Notice of Tribal Consultation with NOAA Fisheries for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

NOAA Fisheries Service would like to invite you to consult on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Act) coronavirus response and relief funding. The Act includes $30 million for Federally recognized tribes in any of the Nation’s coastal States, Great Lakes States and territories for direct and indirect fishery economic related losses as well as subsistence, cultural and ceremonial impacts related to COVID 19. Specifically, “federally recognized Tribes in any of the Nation’s coastal States and territories, and federally recognized Tribes in any of the Nation’s Great Lakes States with fisheries on the Tribe’s reservation or ceded or usual and accustomed territory” are potentially eligible. For detailed information please see Division M (page 1815) of the Act.

The Act requires NOAA Fisheries Service in consultation with tribes to develop an application and distribution process. Specifically, we would like to consult with you on:

  1. How to allocate the $30 million.
  2. Suggestions on an efficient and effective application process, including what information should be required to be submitted as part of the process.
  3. Suggestions on an efficient and effective distribution process.

We would highlight that the Act requires the disbursement of funds to eligible impacted Tribal fishery participants that takes into account economic, subsistence, and ceremonial impacts and that ensures timely distribution of funds.

All Tribal leaders are encouraged to attend the upcoming tribal consultation, hosted by NOAA Fisheries, regarding the distribution of funding on Tuesday, February 16th from 11:30 to 1pm ET.

Webinar: https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join/

Conference Call Line:

  • 888-946-3505
  • 8113363

NOTE: In the event you are unable to attend the consultation call, you can provide written comments and submit them to: heather.sagar@noaa.gov no later than March 1, 2021, to ensure a mutual goal of providing funds as soon as possible.

2020 Updates

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (US Department of the Interior) announcement on the availability of funding through the Tribal Resilience Program (Program)

The Program will provide funding for tribal activities that support tribal adaptation and resilience planning, ocean and coastal management planning, and relocation, managed retreat, or protect-in-place planning and design activities for coastal and riverine communities. The Program aims to support Tribal Nations that need adaptation planning support and decision-making information to prepare for extreme events and harmful environmental trends that impact tribal treaty and trust resources, economies, infrastructure, and human health and welfare.

The solicitation is for federally-recognized tribes and tribal organizations* (as defined by 25 U.S.C. Section 5304(1)). Other entities may participate as sub-grantees. The solicitation is available on grants.gov, Opportunity #: BIA-TRP2020-0001 and is also on the BIA Tribal Resilience Program site.

Please see the BIA Tribal Resilience Program site for more information (fillable cover pages, fillable application forms for Categories 3, 5, and 6, FAQs, helpful regional contacts, summaries of previous awards, etc.).

CATEGORIES OF AVAILABLE FUNDING- There are seven total award categories. 

  • Adaptation Planning (Categories 1-3)
  • Category 1.  Trainings and Workshops (maximum: $150,000)
  • Category 2.  Adaptation Planning (maximum: $150,000)
  • Category 3.  Travel Support for Adaptation Planning (maximum: $15,000)
  • Ocean and Coastal Management Planning (Categories 4-5)
  • Category 4.  Ocean and Coastal Management Planning (maximum: $150,000) 
  • Category 5.  Travel Support - Ocean & Coastal (maximum: $15,000)
  • Capacity Building (Category 6)
  • Category 6. Capacity Building for Scoping Efforts to Support future Category 2 Proposal Development (maximum: $65,000)
  • Relocation, Managed Retreat, or Protect-in-Place Planning (Category 7)
  • Category 7. Planning for Relocation, Managed Retreat, or Protect-in-Place Activities for Coastal and Riverine Communities (maximum: $150,000)

Additional details, including evaluation criteria, are described in the Notice of Funding (i.e., Request for Proposals or Solicitation). Proposal Deadline:  Monday, March 2, 2020, by 5:00 p.m. Alaska Time / 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Send completed proposals to resilience.funding@bia.gov or by hard copy to:

Ms. Jo Ann Metcalfe, Attention: Tribal Resilience Program
Grant Officer, Central Office Acquisitions
Bureau of Indian Affairs
12220 Sunrise Valley Dr.
Reston, VA 20191