The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Program annually provides grants of up to $1 million to coastal and Great Lakes states, as well as U.S. territories to protect, restore and enhance coastal wetland ecosystems and associated uplands. The Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, a portion of the gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines, and interest on the fund, under the authority of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950.
Eligible projects include the acquisition of real property interest in coastal lands or waters and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.
Source of Funds
Funds for the Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant are provided annually from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) receives 18.5% of the funds in the Trust Fund after deducting amounts for WSFR administration, the Multistate Conservation Grant Program, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and fisheries commissions.
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants receive 15% of the 18.5% for CWPPRA.
The funds deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund are derived from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, a portion of the gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines, and interest on the fund.
Grants
Coastal States receive funding though a national competitive process. State and U.S. insular area fish and wildlife agencies may apply for Coastal Wetlands Grants by contacting your regional WSFR contact. The annual funding announcement (CFDA Number: 15.614) is available online at Grants.gov.
The grant program is co-administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and the Coastal Program.
2024 Awards
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Awards $10.8 Million To Protect and Restore Coastal Wetlands and Build Coastal Resiliency
Projects in seven coastal states will improve wetlands for wildlife, coastal communities and recreation
As part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s efforts to conserve and restore coastal wetlands, the Service is awarding $10.8 million to support 12 projects in seven coastal states to protect, restore or enhance over 2,000 acres of coastal wetlands and adjacent upland habitats under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. Coastal wetlands are vitally important in protecting us from floods, filtering our water, supporting recreation and local economies and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Despite their importance, there has been a steady loss of coastal wetlands.
State, local and Tribal governments, private landowners, conservation groups and other partners will contribute $10.2 million in additional funds to support these projects. These grants have wide-reaching benefits for local economies, people and wildlife – using nature-based solutions to boost coastal resilience, reduce flood risk, stabilize shorelines and protect natural ecosystems. Protecting and restoring coastal wetland habitats is critical for hundreds of fish, wildlife and plant species and the many coastal communities that depend on these ecosystems.
Read the news release
For More Information
Download the printable Factsheet
National Coordinators
Regional Contacts
Pacific Region 1: Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and the Pacific Trust Territories
Southwest Region 2: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
Midwest Region 3: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin
Southeast Region 4: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Island
Northeast Region 5: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia
Alaska Region 7: Alaska
Pacific Southwest Region 8: California, Nevada
Reference Documents
Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States
Ecology of Maritime Forests of Southern Atlantic Coast
Audience
Get Started
The Funding Opportunity Announcement and application instructions for the 2024 National Coastal Wetland Conservation Grant Program can be found online at GrantSolutions or in the downloadable PDF.
The application announcement will be available February 2023. The application due date will be June 30, 2023.