The Coastal States Organization represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resource issues.

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Source: ECO Magazine

The BEACH Act was established in 2000 to require EPA to develop guidelines for testing, monitoring, and notifying public users of possible coastal recreation water problems, such as contamination, and provide grant funding to state, local, and tribal governments to protect beachgoers from contaminated water at coastal beaches, including the Great Lakes. Funding is used to develop and implement beach monitoring and notification programs.

This bill reauthorizes the BEACH Act program at $30 million for FY2025 – FY2029, which retains the previously authorized level, and expands eligible uses of BEACH Act grants to include identification of sources of contamination. BEACH Act funds are currently eligible to be used for the monitoring and notification of contamination, but not identification of sources. Adding identification of sources as an eligible use of funds will help address the root causes of a contamination issue that BEACH Act funds are already being used to monitor.

“Each year, millions of Americans make use of our country’s extensive and rich coastal environments for recreation, especially along Lake Erie,” said Congressman Joyce. “Unfortunately, water pollution can make these beaches unsafe, resulting in increased health problems. The BEACH Act ensures that beaches and the surrounding waters remain clean and safe for generations to come.”

“New Jersey’s beaches are a cornerstone of our state’s identity, drawing millions each summer and fueling our coastal economy,” said Congressman Pallone. “Our bipartisan legislation ensures that beachgoers can enjoy our shorelines with confidence by strengthening water quality monitoring and expanding the tools available to identify local pollution at its source. By reauthorizing and improving the BEACH Act, we’re taking a critical step to safeguard public health and preserve the natural beauty of our coasts for generations to come.”

Read more about the BEACH Act here.

On March 5, Representative Kevin Kiley (CA-3) introduced an anti-CZMA bill (H.R. 1874).

The bill attacks coastal states’ rights to review federal actions under the CZMA, a 50-year-old bipartisan law recognizing that states, not the federal government, have the right and responsibility to manage ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of local communities. Specifically, the bill would amend the CZMA so that “a coastal state shall be conclusively presumed to concur” with nearly all federal actions in the coastal zone that they now review, eviscerating the CZMA’s federal consistency provisions.

The CZMA empowers states to work with federal agencies, including those issuing permits, to ensure decisions that impact the businesses, resources, and ecosystems of the coastal zone are consistent with the states’ coastal policies. For decades, coastal states across the nation, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Gulf of America to the Great Lakes, have used the CZMA to defend their unique economic and cultural needs, recreational and environmental resources, and public values of their coastal communities. Every coastal state, red and blue, has used the CZMA to keep sand on the beach, fish in the sea, homes above floodwaters, and maritime businesses thriving.

Read more from CSO’s statement here.

On February 9, Surfrider joined residents of Arecibo, Manatí, and Vega Baja in a celebration of La Cueva del Indio on the north coast of Puerto Rico. La Cueva del Indio is a marine reserve that protects incredible coastal ecosystem and petroglyphs carved by the Taíno, the pre-colonial inhabitants of the island. The event was led by Defendiendo la Cueva del Indio 681, an organization that advocates for free and safe access to this invaluable ecological and archaeological site. As part of the activities, Surfrider volunteers and partners installed signs that provide information and mark one of the westernmost points of Puerto Rico. These signs are part of the RIC (Coastal Interpretive Signage) program, which delineates areas of high ecological value, identifies recreational spaces, and offers information about the local fauna and flora, while promoting environmental education and appreciation of this valuable ecosystem. Read more here.

Study Highlights Successes of Virginia’s Oyster Restoration Efforts

Virginia has made significant investments in the restoration of oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay, and now a study led by William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS suggests those management practices are literally paying off in the Rappahannock River. The study, recently published in the Journal of Environmental Management, was led by Ph.D. student Alexandria Marquardt. In addition to supporting local economies, oysters filter the surrounding water removing algae and excess nutrients while clumping together to form large reefs that serve as habitat for many fish and marine animals. Though once abundant, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay collapsed in the mid-1980s due to a combination of overfishing and disease. “Oyster restoration typically focuses on shell replenishment, in which oyster shells are spread over existing reefs on which juvenile oysters attach and grow. This was an exciting project, because it was the first to evaluate the benefits of replenishment activities both biologically and for the fishery,” said Marquardt. Read more here.

High water levels for the Mississippi River in New Orleans spurred increased levee inspections from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, its New Orleans District announced Monday. The river rose above 11 feet at the Carrollton gauge, prompting a response from the Army Corps to work with local levee officials and begin precautionary patrols of levees along the Mississippi twice weekly until water levels drop. The Mississippi River’s water levels frequently fluctuate based on a variety of factors, from seasonal variations in snowmelt running down from the Midwest and the river’s northern headwaters to human activities such as dredging and spillways. Read more here.

RGV Reef Expands Marine Conservation Efforts with Historic Deployment

On Feb. 25, Friends of RGV Reef marked a significant moment in its ongoing mission to restore and protect marine life in the Gulf. The organization deployed the largest vessel ever introduced to the reef—a 110-foot-long ship that will serve as a thriving habitat for marine life. To accelerate the sinking, the team cut four square holes into each side of the boat, eight in total. The vessel was filled with ocean water through a hose, and once it reached the right buoyancy level, the holes were opened to increase the speed of submersion. Once on the seafloor, nature takes over. Over time, this ship will evolve into a fully developed reef, providing critical habitat for marine life. Fish will find shelter, coral will establish itself, and the ecosystem will flourish. Read more here.

More Than 1,500 Sandhill Cranes Killed by Bird Flu in Indiana, Raising Concerns Among Biologists

More than 1,500 sandhill cranes have been found dead in Indiana, placing them among the latest victims of the highly contagious bird flu strain H5N1, reports the Post-Tribune’s Amy Lavalley. They’re heading north to breeding grounds in Alaska, Canada and eastern Siberia. As they make the annual journey, the birds stop to rest and refuel in various places throughout the Midwest, including Indiana. In recent weeks, biologists with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources have counted hundreds of dead sandhill cranes statewide. “This year they brought avian influenza with them and it just ripped through the population very quickly,” Eli Fleace, a biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, tells the Post-Tribune. Read more here.

Pennsylvania – Ice Fishing Returns to Lake Erie After Years of Thin Ice and Open Water

This year’s winter has been a breath of fresh air for ice fishing enthusiasts and businesses around Lake Erie. “There were over 300 huts out on the ice on Presque Isle Bay one weekend in January,” said Jerry Skyrpzak, president of the S.O.N.S. Lake Erie Fishing Club in Pennsylvania. He said ice fishing has not been possible on Presque Isle Bay off the coast of Erie, Pa., for the past three years. Because the winters have been too warm, ice was too thin or nonexistent. State outdoor agencies say ice should be at least four inches thick before you can safely fish on it. This year, in some parts of Presque Isle Bay, ice was 14 inches thick. Read more here.

The California Wildlife Conservation Board approved 14 habitat protection and restoration projects spanning 14 counties across more than 4,700 acres at its February 26, 2025, quarterly meeting. One of the grants restores 1,300 acres of tidal marsh habitat at the Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing on the east San Francisco Bay shoreline. This landscape-scale restoration project balances the needs of tidal marsh-dependent and estuarine species with waterbirds that rely on pond habitats by enhancing existing ponds and restoring tidal wetlands. WCB’s grants advance California Governor Gavin Newsom’s goal of conserving 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, an initiative known as 30×30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians and fight and adapt to climate change. Read more here.

Hawaii – Long-time Mahuka Surfing Competition Highlights Growing Impact of Coastal Erosion

Rocks and berms that support nearby Farrington Highway were covered with sand last year. This year, winter swells pushed the sand elsewhere down the beach. For 48 years, Makaha Beach has been home to the Buffalo Keaulana Big Board Surfing Contest. Those who attended last year remembered a section of beach had a sprawling section of tents. But this year it was empty because the sand is gone. Surfers are joining others in the community calling on the state Department of Transportation to move Farrington Highway further away from the ocean, not just to protect the road but also to create more beach. The DOT said it is working to get federal funds for the project, which is expected to have a price tag between $70 million and $100 million. Read more here.

As one of the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative (GLAC) 2.0 partners, the National Sea Grant Law Center completed a report on aquaculture laws, regulations, and policies for each of the Great Lakes states. The summary report of research findings will help enhance understanding of the legal framework governing aquaculture in the Great Lakes. Read the report here.

[NEW] Call for Abstracts: Proposals for Posters, Speaker Presentations, and Panel Discussions

MARCO is now accepting proposals for presentations and panel discussions to be held on May 7 for the seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum at The Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore, MD. The Forum is an excellent opportunity to share your work with ocean leaders including federal, state and local officials, as well as ocean stakeholders from private sector, non-governmental organizations and the public. Abstracts relevant to ocean planning, science, and policy in the Mid-Atlantic are encouraged. See the submission form page for sample topics for each theme. The deadline for submission is March 28, 2025. Learn more here.

[NEW] Funding Opportunity: Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience in the Gulf

NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Program is partnering with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) to enhance community resilience and increase the environmental literacy of community members across the U.S. Gulf States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) through place-based education. With NOAA’s support, GRP is offering a funding opportunity titled Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience for projects that educate community members on local environmental challenges, engage learners in solutions-oriented activities, and empower participants to engage in them. A total of $4M is available for this funding opportunity. Applicants must request between $100,000 and $750,000 for projects, commensurate with the scope of work, that are between 12 and 36 months in duration. Applications are due May 21, 2025. Learn more here.

Become an Inland Ocean Ambassador

Are you passionate about protecting our ocean and looking to make a difference? Arm yourself with skills and tools to be a powerful advocate for ocean and watershed health: become an Inland Ocean Ambassador! The Inland Ocean Ambassador Training Program is a 5-session, 5-week online program that prepares individuals to take action to protect our ocean and waterways. Join this land-to-sea movement showing people across the United States and the globe that it’s NOT too late to act for the health of our oceans. Applications are due March 12. Learn more here.

Student Writing Competition: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Law and Policy

The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, together with New York Sea Grant, is pleased to announce a writing competition for law students interested in writing on legal and policy issues associated with marine carbon dioxide removal. The competition is being held in connection with a one-day symposium on the topic “Navigating Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: From Science to Regulation” which will be co-hosted by the Sabin Center and New York Sea Grant in September 2025. The winning article will be published in a special issue of the Sea Grant Law & Policy Journal, an online, scholarly publication of the National Sea Grant Law Center that will accompany the symposium. The winning author will also be invited to attend the symposium in New York to present their work. The top two pieces will each receive a cash prize of $500. The dealine is June 15, 2025. Learn more here.

Input Opportunity: National Tidal Datum Epoch Survey

NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) is gathering input from users of tidal datums and coastal tools, like flood forecasting models and inundation maps, on the upcoming National Tidal Datum Epoch (NTDE) update. This quick, 3-minute survey will help NOAA understand how these changes may affect coastal practitioners and guide the creation of resources to better support communities facing coastal flooding and other challenges. Your feedback will be valuable in shaping tools to meet the needs of those working along our coasts. Access the survey here.

Center for Water Policy Publishes “Great Lakes States’ Coastal Armoring Laws: A Comparison”

The UW-Milwaukee’s Center for Water Policy has published a report on shoreline armoring in the Great Lakes. Given increased climate disruption and uncertainty around the natural fluctuations of Great Lakes water levels, people are grappling with how to respond to waters that threaten the built environment of houses, roads, and other infrastructure. One common response is to armor the shoreline with structures like riprap revetments and seawalls. The report, “Great Lakes States’ Coastal Armoring Laws: A Comparison”, examines and compares coastal armoring statutes and regulations across the eight Great Lakes states. By comparing each state’s approach, this report highlights best practices and identifies areas for improvement to enhance compliance with public trust obligations and promote coastal resilience in response to evolving environmental hazards. Learn more here.

ASFPM Announces Update of Great Lakes Coastal Resilience Planning Guide

The new Great Lakes Coastal Resilience Planning Guide continues to connect Great Lakes community officials with the maps, tools, data, organizations, and resources to replicate successful coastal resilience efforts. Additionally, it features community stories that showcase how communities are using science-based information, high resolution data, and robust decision-support tools to address coastal hazards, while also helping users learn more about the planning process and legal aspects of planning, such as Public Trust Doctrine and the Ordinary High Water Mark determinations in Great Lakes states. This guide was developed for community officials, in particular community planners. Should you have questions, contact Jenna Moran at jenna@floods.org.

UC Santa Cruz Professional Development Course in Coastal Climate Resilience

Gain expertise from top sustainability and resilience professionals with a multi-sector network of instructors that share a dedication to implementing practical solutions to coastal resilience projects. This course is tailored for those actively working across the United States at the interface of climate and coastal adaptation; especially those in positions to plan, finance, implement, model, or incentivize coastal adaptation projects. Course starts March 20, 2025. Fellowships are available! Register here.

Hosts Wanted for New Workshop on Building Trust

Let’s Talk About Trust is a new workshop for coastal managers focused on building strong relationships with marginalized communities. This instructor-led workshop will be offered both onsite and online through NOAA’s Digital Coast Academy, the go-to source for coastal management training. NOAA is seeking partner organizations interested in bringing this workshop to their community. By hosting this course, partners provide a space for participants to explore trust- and relationship-building resources, discuss key concepts among peers, and collaboratively identify successful strategies to overcome challenges. All experience levels are welcome, and the six-hour workshop can be customized to fit the group’s needs. For more information or to request to host this course, visit here.

Funding Opportunities

Nearly all federal grant opportunities are being re-evaluated and updated – awards using IRA and BIL funds are getting extra scrutiny. NOFOs are being removed, replaced, and updated. Be aware the opportunities posted below may be de-listed when you read this.

Funding Opportunity: Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund

On Jan. 14, 2025, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division published the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund FY25 NOFO. The opportunity provides $178 million in grant funding, the largest available in a single fiscal year yet for this program. Funding is available for capitalization grants for states, territories, eligible Tribal Nations, and D.C. to administer revolving loan funds that provide low-interest loans to local governments to reduce their vulnerability to disasters, foster greater resilience, and reduce disaster impacts. Eligible entities may apply on a rolling basis through the end of FY25 (September 30, 2025) on Grants.gov. Summary of changes available here.

Funding Opportunity: WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects for FY 2025 and 2026

The Department of the Interior invites all Tribal and State governments in the Western United States, as well as Nonprofits in partnerships with governments in this region, to apply for grants through the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project Funding, totaling $95 million in awards. AERP provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems in support of the Department’s priorities to study, design and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and result in an improvement to the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat through restoration or improved fish passage. Applications are due April 15, 2025. Learn more here.

Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC Notice of Funding Opportunity

On January 6, 2025, FEMA published the Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC Notice of Funding Opportunity, totaling $750 million in available funding. There is a $150 million funding cap for each applicant. These funds will help state, local, Tribal and territorial governments address high-level future risks to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering. Applications will be accepted from January 6 – April 18, 2025 at 3pm ET on grants.gov. Subapplicants must contact their state, territory, or Tribal application agency to determine internal deadlines. View the fact sheet for this grant here.

Fiscal Year 2024 FMA Notice of Funding Opportunity

On January 6, 2025, FEMA published the Fiscal Year 2024 FMA Notice of Funding Opportunity, totaling $600 million. These funds will help to reduce the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Applications are due April 18, 2025 at 3pm ET on grants.gov. Subapplicants must contact their state, territory, or Tribal application agency to determine internal deadlines. View the fact sheet for this grant here.

Funding Opportunity: $100 Million Available from NOAA-NMFS

NOAA is seeking proposals for transformational projects that will restore coastal habitat and strengthen community resilience under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. NOAA will accept proposals with a federal funding request of between $750,000 and $10 million for the entire award. Typical funding is anticipated to range from $4 million to $6 million. Applications are due by April 16, 2025. Learn more here.

Funding Opportunity: $20 Million Available for the Final Opportunity under BIL NMFS Funding

NOAA will support capacity building and restoration activities that benefit tribes and underserved communities and enhance their resilience to climate change. NOAA will accept proposals with a federal funding request of between $75,000 and $2 million for the entire award. We anticipate typical funding to range from $250,000 to $1 million. Applications are due by May 12, 2025. Learn more here.

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) is Now Accepting Grant Applications

The grants offer funding (up to $100,000 per award) along with training and technical support. These funds can be used over 12 months for activities such as risk assessments, community engagement, project prioritization, and initial implementation. Eligible communities must be in the U.S. and face significant climate-related challenges, considering environmental and socioeconomic factors. The application requires collaboration with a community-based organization, a government partner (local, regional, or Tribal), and a climate adaptation professional. A key feature of CSCI is the Registry of Climate Adaptation and Resilience Professionals, which connects communities with expert practitioners. The initiative will accept grant applications into March of 2025 and expects to announce multiple awards in the summer of 2025. For more details on the grant program, including the benefits, the requirements, the application, and the Registry, please visit their website.

Flourishing in Community Application

The Flourishing in Community Grantmaker is offering noncompetitive awards to support capacity-constrained communities and community-based organizations (CBOs) within Region 2. These $75,000 subawards are designed for ease of access, with a streamlined process that does not require participation in the competitive review process. Any person or organization in Region 2: New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and eight federally recognized Indian Nations may submit a nomination, including self-nominations. The application deadline is March 31, 2025. Apply here.