WaterLANDS’ Post

This should be an interesting panel discussion

Fantastic panel discussion that highlighted what we’re learning from the surge of funding to support coastal restoration and resilience provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Action. Key questions I’ll be thinking about as we all work together on what’s next: 1. Small prior funding led to small thinking. The bigger funding pools enabled and empowered us to think about how to address ecological and community needs. After this funding surge, how do we keep our thinking big? 2. More funding meant more communities gained the resources to act. It was inspiring to hear about so many first time grant recipients. What made their applications possible and successful? How do we make sure that the barriers that came down stay down? 3. The demand for coastal restoration and resilience is enormous and far exceeds even this surge in available funding. Each one of those unfunded projects represents a community that is ready to act. Considering how challenging navigating the federal grant process is, many more didn’t apply. How do we make sure these communities aren’t left behind? So thankful to Restore America's Estuaries Coastal & Estuarine Summit for bringing us together for these critical conversations. Thanks also to my fellow panelists for an insightful discussion - Derek Brockbank, Keelin Kuipers, Cassandra Nieman, MEM , Carrie Robinson, Rebecca Hill.

Costello Group has developed a Land Access Framework and Code of Conduct which ensures compliance with legislative requirements. This framework guides best practice and supports the principles of the Land Access Code. These principles include: transparency; collaboration; sustainability; equity. #CostelloGroup #LandAccess #BestPractice

Another bipartisan win for the Corn Belt Ports region!!! $54 million for ecosystem restoration efforts under the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP). The House Appropriations Committee marked up and passed the FY 2025 Energy & Water Development (E&WD) and Related Agencies appropriations bill, which included $54 million for NESP. Kudos to our inland ports, riverfront communities, and regional planning agencies across the Corn Belt Ports’ 51-riverfront county region for submitting Community Project Funding (CPF) requests. The NESP funding, originating from these CPF requests, was formally requested in the appropriations bill process thanks to U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (MO-06), Darin LaHood (IL-16), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13). Senate markup of the E&WD appropriations bill is anticipated by the last week of July. Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Dick Durbin (IL), Amy Klobuchar (MN), and Tina Smith (MN) have expressed support for this in the Senate. We expect much more bipartisan support when it goes to a vote. While Robert A. Sinkler and Chris Smith, CPP, PMP are a little disappointed that there was no navigation funding as part of NESP in this markup — true to their overachieving nature😊, we are very grateful for the continued NESP support from our Senators and U.S. Representatives, and national organizations like the Waterways Council, Inc. The Nature Conservancy Ducks Unlimited and many, many more, to include regional organizations like the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association and the UPPER MISSISSIPPI ILLINOIS & MISSOURI RIVER ASSOCIATION

SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. (EPA) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday announced over $20 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. This historic funding is part of over $50 billion in water infrastructure upgrade investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — the largest investment in American history. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach disadvantaged and underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. This vital funding will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across CNMI. https://lnkd.in/dVcHjzpz

Inter-generational conversations on the value of land and what it means to different communities across the country is integral to sustainable land governance and key in forward looking land and natural resources management. #LandGovernance

Have you read about the Regional Land Use Framework? 🌲 It sets out a vision and objectives for the use of land, across the South of Scotland. Providing information on existing land uses, the benefits they provide, and drivers for land use change 🌟 It recognises the urgency of joined up action, to address the climate and biodiversity crises and identifies some of the priority changes in land use that are going to be needed. You can find the full plan here: https://lnkd.in/eF4gAWD4 Dumfries and Galloway Council South of Scotland Enterprise

Have you heard of Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC)’s “Timber for Transit” grant program? How about “Forest Economy Program?” If not, please join NBRC staff leaders and me on 2/5 for an overview of these and Catalyst. Registration is required (link below): February 5, 2024, at 1:00-2:30pm EST – NBRC Overview of 2024 Programs: Catalyst, Forest Economy, and Timber for Transit This session will provide an overview of NBRC funding requirements such as applicant eligibility, NBRC eligible counties, timeline, and important dates along with a brief overview of each of the 3 programs that have announced funding in 2024 – Catalyst, Forest Economy, and Timber for Transit. The program overviews will highlight the core focus areas of the programs, differences between the programs, and immediate next steps for interested applicants. Registration Required: https://lnkd.in/euQN5XDY

The Local Growth and Sustainability Grant (LGSG) is a new infrastructure grant program that will address growth pressures for municipalities throughout Alberta.   Alberta’s government is launching the Local Growth and Sustainability Grant to help local communities manage population growth pressure on public infrastructure. Alberta’s dynamic economy has led to rapid population growth, which is creating challenges for local communities as more and more people use their roads, bridges, and water treatment systems. Budget 2024 introduced the Local Growth and Sustainability Grant to help communities manage these challenges. The Local Growth and Sustainability Grant will provide $60 million over three years to assist communities that are experiencing significant growth. It will also allow communities to capitalize on economic development opportunities including support for new industrial and commercial development. Applications for the Local Growth and Sustainability Grant are now open and close on November 29, 2024. https://lnkd.in/g_AtcPSn

We are looking forward to seeing you at this webinar about Best Practices in Mangrove Restoration, centered around well-established community-based ecological restoration approaches. Register today and share widely with others involved in mangrove restoration!