Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act

Background
The principal objective of the NOAA’s Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Funding Opportunity is to provide federal financial and technical assistance to Indian tribes and organizations that represent Indian tribes through formal legal agreements (e.g., tribal commissions, tribal consortia, tribal conservation districts, and tribal cooperatives) to remove barriers to fish passage. NOAA recognizes that healthy fish populations are integral to the living culture of tribes. 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, and increases tribal capacity to participate in fish passage barrier removal efforts while improving tribal commercial, recreational, subsistence and cultural practice opportunities. Proposed work may be located on tribal lands, throughout traditional use areas, or in coastal watersheds that support fish populations that are or have been integral to the living culture of tribes. This funding announcement is authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Public Law 117-58), 135 STAT. 1356 (Nov. 15, 2021) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA, Public Law 117-169).

Grant Details
The funding opportunity aims to achieve measurable and lasting benefits for migratory fish populations by removing barriers to fish passage for native migratory or sea-run fish. The proposed work 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, outreach and education.

The program priorities include achieving measurable benefits for migratory fish populations; enhancing community resilience to extreme weather and climate hazards; fostering tribally important barrier removal efforts; and increasing tribal organization fish passage capacity.

The program authority includes statutes such as the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006, Endangered Species Act, America COMPETES Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Public Law 117-58, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Public Law 117-169.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants are Indian tribes and organizations representing Indian tribes through formal legal agreements such as tribal commissions, consortia, conservation districts, or cooperatives. Organizations representing Indian tribes through formal legal agreements should provide supporting documentation demonstrating a relationship between the tribe(s) and organization.

Partnerships with institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, commercial organizations, U.S. territories or state/local governments are encouraged but these entities are not eligible to submit an application directly.

Period of Performance
NOAA anticipates a period of performance for most awards of up to three years with potential extension up to five years if necessary. The earliest anticipated start date for awards will be July 1, 2024.

Grant Value
NOAA anticipates up to $85 million will be available under this opportunity with typical federal funding awards ranging from $500,000 to $5 million over three years. The total request for NOAA funds for each year of the project period should be included in the project summary.

Place of Performance
Proposed work may be located on tribal lands or throughout traditional use areas.