We are pleased to announce, with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), a request for proposals under the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund is now open through June 29.
The 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons inflicted severe damage to communities and coastal resources across the Gulf of Mexico. In 2020, Hurricanes Laura and Sally left a swath of destruction in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Hurricane Laura and Delta created an estimated ten million cubic yards of debris, while Hurricane Sally displaced over 1,000 vessels in Alabama and Florida. In 2021, Hurricane Ida inflicted severe damage and left large amounts of debris along the Louisiana coast. This debris poses hazards to navigation, commercial fishing grounds, and sensitive ecosystems.
With financial support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, NFWF is seeking applications for $3 million in grants to remove marine debris from impacted coastal areas. The program will primarily fund marine debris assessment, removal, restoration, and disposal activities in coastal communities in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the western Florida Panhandle. Projects will prevent further damage to sensitive coastal habitats and species and reduce the impacts of marine debris on properties, community infrastructure, assets of economic importance, and navigation safety.
Full proposals are due on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 11:59 PM EDT. An informational webinar for potential applicants will be held by NFWF on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT.
More information is available on the NFWF website.