In legislation passed this week to fund the federal government through the remainder of FY 2022, the U.S. Congress provided funding for ocean-related programs including the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund ($34M, same vs. FY ’21; Fund received additional monies under last year’s infrastructure bill), Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas ($61M vs. $56.5M in FY ‘21), Coastal Zone Management and Services ($49M vs. $46.7M in FY ’21), and Coastal Zone Management Grants ($79M vs. $78.5M in FY ’21).
As to marine protected areas, the bill directs NOAA to submit a report within 180 days on steps the agency has taken to initiate the designation process for successfully nominated national marine sanctuary sites currently under inventory and an estimated timeline for the designation process. It also encourages NOAA to “continue the expansion” of the sanctuary system.
The bill also provides $2M to NOAA for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (vs. $3M for FY ’21), including up to $1M to support the establishment of an externally competed NOPP program office and Ocean Research Advisory Panel.
Additionally, the Joint Explanatory Statement notes that funding will remain no lower than FY ’21 levels for NOAA’s work in implementing the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and Alaska Coastal Mapping Strategy (also provides $5M for Alaska coastal/nearshore mapping through NOAA Community Project Funding/Special Projects).
Lastly, funding allocated to regional ocean partnerships for regional data portals remains at $2.5M (noting additional funds made available to the partnerships under last year’s infrastructure bill).
