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.

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: The goals of this effort are to provide upstream and downstream passage for migratory fish species in the Wallowa River system, including Wallowa Lake, and upgrade irrigation infrastructure as needed to accomplish instream flow benefits in the Wallowa River and tributaries. Click on this link for more details on ODFWs IIJA efforts in the Wallowa. ODFW Contact: Jeff Yanke (Jeff.YANKE@odfw.oregon.gov)

• Klamath Basin Restoration: ODFW has identified habitat restoration and enhancement, fish screening and passage, and re-establishment of native anadromous fish runs as the primary areas of emphasis for IIJA opportunities in the Klamath Basin. Click on this link for more details on ODFWs IIJA efforts in the Klamath. ODFW Contact: Philip Milburn (Philip.J.MILBURN@odfw.oregon.gov)

• Oregon Coast Coho Recovery: ODFW and partners have identified the Nehalem, Nestucca, Alsea, South and Middle Umpqua, and the Coos as priority areas for restoration of the federally-threatened Oregon Coast Coho salmon. Priority actions will address limiting factors, such as stream complexity, water quantity, and water quality. Click on this link for more details. ODFW Contact: Renee Coxen (Renee.J.COXEN@odfw.oregon.gov)

• Rogue Watershed Resiliency: The Rogue Watershed Resiliency Initiative seeks to advance state and federal investments that will restore water quantity and quality and upgrade infrastructure to promote fish passage in the Rogue Watershed. Click on this link for more details on ODFWs IIJA efforts in the Rogue. ODFW Contact: Chandra Ferrari (Chandra.A.FERRARI@odfw.oregon.gov)

• Wildlife Habitat Restoration: This effort is focused on funding projects that restore habitat structure and function, sustain working lands, and allow for the return of natural disturbance regimes in natural systems, and help build resiliency to a drier and warmer future. Click on this link for more details. Contact: Sara Reif (Sarah.J.REIF@odfw.oregon.gov)
  
  
• Connectivity and Wildlife Passage: Wildlife connectivity is significantly reduced by roadways as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation, injury and mortality, and behavioral avoidance. Wildlife crossing structures and associated directional fencing significantly reduce the impacts of roads on wildlife populations. Click on this link for more details. ODFW Contact: Rachel Wheat (Rachel.E.WHEAT@odfw.oregon.gov)

Keep checking in for more information, and make sure to explore our vision for IIJA funding implementation! ODFW IIJA Focal Areas (pdf)

IIJA Grants Currently Open:

NOAA National Sea Grant BIL Marine Debris Challenge Competition

• Focus: To support innovative research to application projects that will address the prevention and/or removal of marine debris and provide the potential for transformational behavior change.
• Application Period: Sept. 13, 2023 to March 27, 2023
• Awards: $250K to $3M per project
• Eligible Applicants: Open
• Apply: https//www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity Number NOAA-OAR-SG-2024-23706
• ODFW Contact: Andrea Hanson, andrea.v.hanson@odfw.oregon.gov

NOAA Marine Debris Removal under the BIL

• Focus: To support impactful projects that remove and dispose of large marine debris (e.g.,  abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear, and other large debris) from the coastal and marine environment and prevent the re-accumulation of marine debris in the environment.
• Application Period: Aug. 28, 2023 to Feb. 23, 2023
• Awards: $24M ($800K to $6M per project)
• Eligible Applicants: State governments, Tribes, county and local governments, NGOs, higher education institutions, businesses
• Apply: https//www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity Number OAA-NOS-ORR-2024-2007993
• ODFW Contact: Andrea Hanson, andrea.v.hanson@odfw.oregon.gov

NOAA Effects of Sea Level Rise

• Focus: The Competitive Research Program is soliciting proposals to evaluate and quantify the ability of Nature-based Solutions approaches to mitigate the effects of Sea Level Rise and inundation. The impacts should be explored through integrated field research, and the application and advancement of predictive, dynamic models of physical, chemical, and biologic processes.
• Application Period: Sept. 21, 2023 to Jan. 24, 2023
• Awards: ($200K to $500K per project)
• Eligible Applicants: State governments, Tribes, county and local governments, NGOs, higher education institutions, businesses
• Apply: https//www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity Number NOAA-NOS-NCCOS-2024-2008163
• ODFW Contact: Andrea Hanson, andrea.v.hanson@odfw.oregon.gov

Bureau of Reclamation WaterSmart Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Grant

• Focus: Through the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program, Reclamation funds the study, design and construction of large-scale ecosystem restoration projects that are collaboratively developed, have widespread regional benefits, and result in the improvement of the health of fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitat.
• Application Period: Applications for a second submission period to allocate FY24 funding are due January 24th, 2024
• Award: Study and design projects are eligible for between $500,000 and $2 million in Federal funding, and construction projects can receive between $3 million and $20 million. A non-federal cost share of at least 35% is required.
• Eligible Applicants: Category A Applicants * States, Tribes, irrigation districts, or water districts. Category B Applicants Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A.
• Apply: Grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number R23AS00106
• ODFW Contact: Kregg Smith kregg.m.smith@odfw.oregon.gov
• Webinar: The Bureau of Reclamation will host an informational webinar on Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm MDT to discuss the Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I and the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects funding opportunities. Click here to join the live event or use the same link to watch a recording after the completion of the live event.

Bureau of Reclamation WaterSmart Planning and Project Design Grants

• Focus: The Planning and Project Design Grants is a new funding opportunity representing an efficient approach to streamline the WaterSMART application process by combining three funding opportunities into one.  This funding opportunity includes the existing Drought Contingency Planning funding opportunity, expands the existing water marketing funding opportunity to create Water Strategy Grants, and introduces a new funding category for Project Design Grants. 
• Application Period: Applications for the first submission period are due by October 17 and applications for the second submission period are due by April 2, 2024.
• Awards: Federal funding requests up to $400,000
• Eligible Applicants: Category A applicants can be States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts, or authorities with water or power delivery. Category B applicants must partner with a Category A applicant.
• Apply: Grants.gov under the Funding Opportunity number R23AS00109
• ODFW Contact: Kregg Smith kregg.m.smith@odfw.oregon.gov
• Webinar: The Bureau of Reclamation will host a webinar on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 11:30 am MDT, to discuss the WaterSMART Project and Planning Design Grants, and the Drought Resiliency Projects funding opportunities including eligible applicants, program requirements, and the selection process. Join the live event or use the same link to watch a recording after the completion of the live event.

BOR WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects

• Focus: To support projects that will build resiliency to drought by increasing the reliability of water supplies through infrastructure improvements and groundwater recovery; improving water management through decision support tools, modeling, and measurement; and providing benefits for fish and wildlife and the environment.
• Application Period: Aug. 7, 2023 to Oct. 31, 2023
• Awards: $25K to $5M per project
• Eligible Applicants: States, Tribes, irrigation & water districts, organizations with water or power delivery authority, or NGOs acting in partnership with one of the entries listed previously.
• Apply: https//www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity Number R24AS00007
• BOR Contact: Karen Shubert, kshubert@usbr.gov
• ODFW Contact: Andrea Hanson, andrea.v.hanson@odfw.oregon.gov

NOAA Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grant

• Focus: Projects selected through this funding opportunity will have a transformative impact for coastal communities and tribes across the country. They will help sustain our nation’s fisheries, make significant strides in the recovery of threatened and endangered species, and help protect coastal communities and ecosystems from the impacts of climate change. They will support efforts such as reconnecting rivers to their historic floodplains, outplanting corals to rebuild reefs, building living shorelines that protect coasts from erosion and sea level rise, and more.
• Application Period: Open August 15, 2023-Applications are due by November 17, 2023
• Awards: $1 million to $25 million total over the award period which is three years
• Eligible Applicants: Coastal states, territories, counties, cities, tribes, and tribal organizations; public or private nonprofit organizations; and institutions of higher education.
• Apply: Grants.gov under the Funding Opportunity number NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2023-2008081
• ODFW Contact: Kregg Smith kregg.m.smith@odfw.oregon.gov
• Webinar: Virtual Information Sessions for Applicants: Dates and times for virtual information sessions will be
  • August 29 at 1-2 PM Eastern / 12-1 PM Central / 10-11 AM Pacific / 9-10 AM Alaska, register here
  • September 6 at 2-3 PM Eastern / 1-2 PM Central / 11 AM-12 PM Pacific / 10-11 AM Alaska, register here
  • September 13 at 3-4 PM Eastern / 2-3 PM Central / 12-1 PM Pacific / 11 AM-12 PM Alaska, register here

NOAA Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities

• Focus: To support opportunities for tribes and underserved communities to meaningfully engage in coastal habitat restoration activities. Funding will prioritize capacity building, science support, and restoration project activities that enhance resilience of tribes and underserved communities and have the greatest potential to lead to habitat restoration in coastal, estuarine, and marine areas. 
• Application Period: Sept. 1, 2023 to Dec. 19, 2023
• Awards: $45M ($75K to $3M per project)
• Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are Tribes, underserved communities, or entities that partner with tribes and/or underserved communities, such as States, Tribes, county and local governments, NGOs, housing authorities, higher learning institutions, small businesses
• Apply: https//www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity number NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2023-2008173
• ODFW Contact: Andrea Hanson, andrea.v.hanson@odfw.oregon.gov

NOAA Restoring Fish Passage Through Barrier Removal

• Focus: To remove dams and other instream barriers, reopen migratory pathways, and restore access to healthy habitat for fish.
• Application Period: July 31, 2023 to October 16, 2023
• Awards: $175 million ($1M- $20M per project)
• Eligible Applicants: Coastal and Great Lakes states, territories, counties, cities, Tribes, public or private nonprofit organizations
• Apply: https//www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity number NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2023-2008056
• ODFW Contact: Kregg Smith kregg.m.smith@odfw.oregon.gov
• Webinar: Virtual Information Sessions for Applicants: 
  • August 10 at 11 AM-12:30 PM Pacific, register here
  • August 16 at 9:30-11 AM Pacific, register here
  • August 22 at 12-1:30 PM Pacific, register here

NOAA Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal States, Tribes, and Territories Competition

• Focus: To train and place workers in ‘good jobs’ that enhance climate resilience and support the actions identified in the U.S. Ocean Climate Action Plan. ‘Good jobs’ address diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, empowerment, and representation. Enhancing climate-informed skills includes applying equity-centered climate resilience principles, and reducing exposure, vulnerability, and risk to climate related impacts.
• Application Period: Letter of Intent due November 30, 2023, If accepted, full proposals due February 13, 2024
• Awards: $50M ($500K - $10M per project)
• Eligible Applicants: Coastal state governments, Tribes, local governments, institution of higher education, non-profit organizations
• Apply: www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity number NOAA-OAR-SG-2024-2007783
• ODFW Contact: Kregg Smith kregg.m.smith@odfw.oregon.gov

NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge

• Focus: To support collaborative approaches to achieving resilience in coastal regions. Proposed projects should address risk reduction, regional collaboration, and equity, and build enduring capacity for habitat restoration, protection, and adaptation. Track One projects support regional scale coordination, engagement, planning, advancement of equitable outcomes; assessing risk and vulnerability; and planning resilience strategies and adaptation actions. Track Two projects support acquiring vulnerable land, building natural infrastructure; protecting public access to coastal natural resources; updating state/local codes; etc.
• Application Period: Letters of intent due August 21, 2023. If accepted, full proposals due February 13, 2024
• Awards: Track One – Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development: $25M ($500K - $2M; and Track Two – Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions: $550M ($15M - $75 M.
• Eligible Applicants: Coastal states, territories, counties, cities, tribes, and tribal organizations; public or private nonprofit organizations; and institutions of higher education.
• Apply: www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity number NOAA-NOS-OCM-2023-2008068
• Webinar: Virtual Information Sessions:
• Tuesday, June 27, 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time
• Tuesday, July 11, 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern Time
• Wednesday, July 12, 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time

NOAA Ocean-based Climate Resilience Accelerators

• Focus: To advance research, technologies, and observation systems to support climate-ready marine resources and communities, and enhance community resilience to ocean change by developing ocean-based solutions that help communities adapt and thrive in our changing climate.
• Application Period: July 10, 2023 – September 11
• Awards: $60M ($50K - $250K per project)
• Eligible Applicants: States, Tribes, county and local governments, NGOs, higher learning institutions, small businesses
• Apply: www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity number NOAA-NOS-IOOS-2023-2008077
• NOAA Contact: Debra Esty (debra.esty@noaa.gov)

BOR WaterSMART Applied Science Grants

• Focus: Eligible projects can develop, improve, or adapt tools to improve nature-based solutions decision making. These solutions can use natural features and processes to combat climate change, improve water quality, restore and protect wetlands, stabilize shorelines, and reduce flood risk. Nature-based solutions can be applied at a watershed or landscape scale or at a site-specific scale. Projects may include decision support tools to assist in the application of a nature-based solution that supports a range of environmental improvements, including but not limited to biodiversity, water quality, and flood mitigation. Applied Science Grants with primarily ecological benefits may be eligible for up to 75 percent Federal cost-share contribution.
• Application Period: October 17, 2023
• Awards: $400,000
• Eligible Applicants: Category A applicants: States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority. Category B applicants are eligible so long as they partner with a Category A applicant, including Universities, nonprofit research institutes, federally funded research and development centers, and nonprofit conservation organizations.
• Apply: www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity number R23AS00446.
• ODFW Contact: kregg.m.smith@odfw.oregon.gov

DOT Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program

• Focus: The Reconnecting Communities (RCP) and Neighborhood Program is a combination of two major discretionary grant opportunities: the Reconnecting Communities Pilot and Neighborhood Access and Equity programs. The RCP Program aims to advance and support reconnection of communities divided by transportation infrastructure, with a priority on helping disadvantaged communities improve access to jobs, education, healthcare, food, and recreation. support planning and capital construction activities that aim to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation or replacement of highways, roadways, or other infrastructure facilities that create barriers to mobility, access, or economic development.
• Application Period: July 5, 2023-September 28, 2023
• Awards: $198,000,000 (project award ceiling $100M)
• Eligible Applicants: State governments, Tribes, county and local governments, NGOs, higher education institutions
• Apply: www.grants.gov, Funding Opportunity number DOT-RCP-FY23-01
• DOT Contact: reconnectingcommunities@dot.gov
• Webinar: Tuesday, July 11th, 1:30 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time. There is no need to register – simply use the appropriate webinar link at the designated time. The webinar will also be recorded and posted on the RCN website.

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

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