Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies

The complex interdependence of ecosystems and economies will grow with increasing uses of land, marine, and coastal resources, resulting in particularly heavy economic and environmental pressures on the Nation's coastal communities. Continued growth in coastal populations, economic expansion, and global trade will further increase the need for safe and efficient maritime transportation. Similarly, the Nation's profound need for conventional and alternative energy presents many economic opportunities but will also result in greater competition for ocean space, challenging our ability to make informed decisions that balance conflicting demands as well as economic and environmental considerations. At the same time, the interdependence of ecosystems and economies makes coastal and Great Lakes communities increasingly vulnerable to chronic and potentially catastrophic impacts of natural and human-induced hazards, including climate change, oil spills, harmful algal blooms and pathogen outbreaks, and severe weather hazards. NOAA Objectives 1. Resilient coastal communities that can adapt to the impacts of hazards and climate change 2. Comprehensive ocean and coastal planning and management 3. Safe, efficient and environmentally sound marine transportation 4. Improved coastal water quality supporting human health and coastal ecosystem services 5. Safe, environmentally sound Arctic access and resource management Examples of appropriate topic areas for research applications from small businesses include, but are not limited to the following: Technologies that support the integration and usability of science-based tools and information in assessing hazard risk, vulnerability, and resilience for decision makers in coastal communities Technologies that support improved community readiness in response to natural and human-induced coastal hazards Technologies that support healthy natural habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem services within coastal economies and communities. Technologies that support the coastal and marine spatial planning process New or enhanced models, data, tools, and practices to support informed spatial planning, management, and stewardship of Coastal and Great Lakes resources and ecosystems Technologies that support enhanced geospatial frameworks and data collection relevant for decision- support tools for coastal communities Technologies that reduce maritime incidents in U.S. waters by providing timely and accurate navigational information Tools that support an improved national geospatial framework and increase accuracy of navigation products and services Products and services integrating real-time navigation at national ports Tools that facilitate preparedness and response to maritime incidents and emergencies Technologies that facilitate greater understanding of the effects of natural and human-induced ocean contaminants on the health of humans and marine life Technologies that reduce impacts to human health and ecosystem services due to degraded water quality Technologies that facilitate faster detection of sediments and contaminants in coastal waters Tools that facilitate accelerated recovery and restoration of coastal resources and revitalization of coastal communities through improved water quality Technologies that reduce risk and impact of maritime incidents on the Arctic environment Technologies that support adaptation to climate change and weather events within Arctic communities and ecosystems Technologies that support a stronger foundational geospatial framework to better support economic and community resilience and inform policy options and coastal management responses to the unique challenges in the Arctic region