The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has over 11 billion dollars to invest in creating healthy natural areas that support our wildlife, recreation, and economy. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for conservation and communities in Oregon.

Video update by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife featuring Gov. Kate Brown provides background information on the long-standing project to rehabilitate the Wallowa Lake dam. View on YouTube.

A large wood habitat restoration project was conducted in partnership with Necanicum Watershed Council, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board in Bergsvik Creek in 2017. Coho fry use of a variety of habitats created by the restoration project was captured on April 15, 2022 while evaluating the project 5 years after completion. View on YouTube.

ODFW IIJA Focal Areas

ODFW is focusing efforts in a few key places where additional funding is needed to get us over the finish line, achieving great outcomes for fish and wildlife and for Oregon’s communities. The six focal themes/areas include:

• Wallowa River Fish Passage and Flow Restoration
  Jeff Yanke (Jeff.YANKE@odfw.oregon.gov)
• Klamath Basin Restoration
  Philip Milburn (Philip.J.MILBURN@odfw.oregon.gov)
• Oregon Coast Coho Recovery
  Renee Coxen (Renee.J.COXEN@odfw.oregon.gov)
• Watershed Resiliency (Rogue)
  Chandra Ferrari (Chandra.A.FERRARI@odfw.oregon.gov)
• Wildlife Habitat Restoration/Good Neighbor Authority
  Sara Reif (Sarah.J.REIF@odfw.oregon.gov)
• Connectivity and Wildlife Passage
  Rachel Wheat (Rachel.E.WHEAT@odfw.oregon.gov)

The department is currently developing implementation strategies for each of our focal areas. Keeping checking in for more information, and make sure to explore our vision for IIJA funding implementation! ODFW IIJA Focal Areas (pdf)

How you can help!

There is a lot we can all do to benefit both fish and wildlife, our communities, and our economy. Funds from the IIJA are a once in a lifetime opportunity to do the work but the time is short. We have just 5 years to make the most of this chance.

• Apply for an IIJA grant directly or with partners, and bring vital funding into Oregon!
• Communicate Oregon’s IIJA funding needs with federal agency partners
• Provide support for IIJA funding in ODFW focal areas
• Let us know if you receive any IIJA funding in Oregon

Where to find more information on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

• Build.gov: The White House website on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (full text) (PDF)
• A Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (PDF)

Where to find more information on IIJA funding opportunities:

• Visit Grants.gov: for more information on IIJA grant opportunities, enter ‘Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’ in the keyword search. You can also subscribe to grant updates.
• Click here to see a summary of the potential funding opportunities ODFW is following that relate to natural resources in Oregon. Please note that not all funding opportunities are included, and make sure to check back frequently as the information will be updated in real-time. Updated 06/29/22
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – complete dataset spreadsheet (XLSX) Updated 05/11/22

IIJA Grants Currently Open:

NOAA Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal

• Focus: removal of dams and other in-stream barriers for native migratory fish
• Application period: June 15 – August 15, 2022
• Funding: $1M - $15M awards
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, local governments, municipal governments, educational institutions, NGOs, and small businesses
• Apply: https://www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2022-2007209
• Grant info: https://www.noaa.gov/infrastructure-law
• ODFW Staff Contact: Kregg Smith (Kregg.M.SMITH@odfw.oregon.gov)

NOAA Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants (IIJA)

• Focus: projects that restore marine, estuarine, or coastal ecosystems, using approaches that enhance community and ecosystem resilience to climate hazards.
• Application period: June 28 – September 6, 2022
• Funding: $1M - $15M awards
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, local governments, municipal governments, educational institutions, NGOs, and small businesses
• Apply: https://www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2022-2007195
• Grant info: https://www.noaa.gov/infrastructure-law
• ODFW Staff Contact: Kregg Smith (Kregg.M.SMITH@odfw.oregon.gov)

NOAA Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities (IIJA)

• Focus: support opportunities for underserved communities, tribes, and/or tribal entities to meaningfully engage in coastal habitat restoration activities.
• Application period: June 28 – September 30, 2022
• Funding: $75,000 - $1M awards
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, local governments, municipal governments, educational institutions, NGOs, and small businesses
• Apply: https://www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity Number:  NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2022-2007354
• Grant info: https://www.noaa.gov/infrastructure-law
• ODFW Staff Contact: Andrea Hanson (Andrea.V.HANSON@odfw.oregon.gov)

NFWF American the Beautiful Challenge (FY22)

• Focus: connect and restore lands, waters, and wildlife
• Application period: May 4 – July 21, 2022
• Funding: $85M
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, local governments, municipal governments, educational institutions, and NGOs
• Apply: https://www.nfwf.org/programs/america-beautiful-challenge
• ODFW Staff Contact: Andrea Hanson (Andrea.V.HANSON@odfw.oregon.gov)

For more information contact Andrea Hanson, ODFW Conservation Policy Coordinator (andrea.v.hanson@odfw.oregon.gov)