Two Fish Passage Funding Opportunities Now Open, One Focused on Tribes

NOAA is announcing two funding opportunities for fish passage, including one funding opportunity focused on tribes. This significant funding is available under the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Projects selected through these opportunities will help support sustainable fisheries, recover threatened and endangered migratory fish, and strengthen the resilience of coastal and Great Lakes communities and tribes. This is the third and final round of these funding opportunities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Through these two competitions, we will prioritize projects that were developed with inclusive practices and incorporate meaningful strategies to engage a diverse range of community groups, including tribes.

Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal

Up to $75 million in funding is available through the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removalfunding opportunity. Projects selected through this opportunity will reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for fish around the country.

This funding will support the locally led removal of dams and other in-stream barriers. Selected projects will sustain our nation's fisheries and contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species. They may also provide community and economic benefits, such as jobs and climate resilience.

NOAA will accept proposals between $750,000 and $8 million for the entire award, with typical funding anticipated to range from $3 million to $5 million. Applications are due by February 10, 2025.

Restoring Priority Tribal Fish Passage through Barrier Removal

Concurrently, up to $20 million in funding is available for fish passage and tribal capacity building through the Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removalfunding opportunity. This funding will support U.S. federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and tribal organizations in implementing on-the-ground fish passage work and in building tribal organizational capacity.

Selected projects will reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for tribally important species. They may also enhance community climate resilience by removing or improving aging infrastructure.

NOAA will accept proposals between $300,000 and $6 million for the entire award, with typical funding anticipated to range from $500,000 to $4 million. Applications are due by February 27, 2025.

Tribes are eligible to apply to both funding opportunities.

Fish Passage and NOAA

Every year, millions of fish migrate to their spawning and rearing habitats to reproduce. Some fish need to swim thousands of miles through oceans and rivers to reach their destinations. They are often blocked from completing their journey by barriers like dams and culverts. When fish can't reach their habitat, they can't reproduce and maintain or grow their populations. As a result, many fish populations have declined.

NOAA works to reopen these migratory pathways, restoring access to healthy habitat for fish. Our efforts help recover threatened and endangered migratory fish and support the sustainability of commercial and recreational fisheries. They can also eliminate or reduce public safety hazards, improve climate resilience, and provide opportunities for recreation such as fishing and boating.

NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservationhas a long history conducting habitat restoration efforts with large-scale competitive funding opportunities and expert technical assistance through our Community-based Restoration Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act provide a historic opportunity for us to continue supporting fisheries, protected resources, and coastal communities. To date, we have funded 214 awards totaling $985 millionthrough two rounds of funding competitions.

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