# NOAA’s Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the IIJA

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/noaa-nmfs-hcpo-2022-2007209-noaas-restoring-fish-passage-through-barrier-removal-notice/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/341121

> Department of Commerce offered grants of up to $15.0 million (at least $1.0 million) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make about 25 awards worth $65.0 million in total. Applications closed on August 15, 2022.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2022-2007209 |
| Agency | Department of Commerce |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | August 15, 2022 |
| Award ceiling | $15.0 million |
| Award floor | $1.0 million |
| Expected awards | 25 |
| Total funding | $65.0 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 11.463 |

## Who can apply

- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses

Applicants must propose work in areas that benefit migratory fish as defined in Program Objective (Section I.A). Eligible applicants for Great Lakes projects must propose work within one of the eight U.S. Great Lakes states (New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota). Eligible applicants that propose projects in the Commonwealth and Territories of the United States must propose work in American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico.

## What the grant funds

The principal objective of NOAA’s Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity is to provide federal financial and technical assistance to fish passage through the removal of dams and other in-stream barriers for native migratory or sea-run fish. Funding will be used for fish passage that rebuilds productive and sustainable fisheries, contributes to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species, enhances watershed health, promotes resilient ecosystems and communities, especially in underserved communities, and improves economic vitality, including local employment. This funding opportunity announcement is authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, Public Law 117-58), 135 STAT. 1356 (Nov. 15, 2021). Applicants should address the following set of program priorities: 1) achieving measurable and lasting benefits for migratory fish populations; 2) fostering regionally important habitat restoration; 3) enhancing community resilience to climate hazards, and providing other co-benefits; and 4) providing benefit to and engaging with underserved communities, including through partnerships with Indian tribes. Proposals submitted under this funding opportunity should describe how the proposed fish passage will: (1) contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act; (2) sustain or help rebuild fish stocks managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; (3) improve passage to support native fish species of the Great Lakes; (4) enhance the sustainability of saltwater recreational fisheries; (5) enhance community resilience, especially in tribal and underserved communities, to climate hazards by removing or improving aging infrastructure and support other co-benefits; or (6) support hydroelectric license surrender to remove dams that are no longer economically viable or provide significant public benefits. Proposed activities may include future project development and feasibility studies, engineering and design, permitting, on-the-ground fish passage restoration, pre- and post-removal implementation monitoring, stakeholder engagement, building the capacity of new and existing restoration partners to manage multi-faceted project design and construction, and education and outreach.

## Questions people ask

### Is NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2022-2007209 still open?

No. It closed on August 15, 2022. A newer notice is open: NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2026-33781, closes November 18, 2026 (11 days left).

### Who can apply for NOAA’s Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the IIJA?

Department of Commerce accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for NOAA’s Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the IIJA?

Closed August 15, 2022. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $15.0 million each. About $65.0 million in total across about 25 awards.

### Who has won Habitat Conservation grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority of Louisiana, Trout Unlimited, Inc. The program made 299 awards worth $1.3 billion in that time.