The NOAA Marine Debris Program, authorized in the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (33 U.S.C.

1951 et seq.) as amended by the Marine Debris Act Amendments of 2012 (P.L.

112-213, Title VI, Sec.

603, 126 Stat.

1576, December 20, 2012), provides funding to

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catalyze the implementation of locally-driven, community-based marine debris prevention, assessment, and removal projects that will benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and NOAA trust resources.

Funding for this purpose comes through the NOAA Marine Debris Program as appropriations to the Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service.

The funding is, in part, administered through a grant competition with the NOAA Restoration Center’s Community-based Restoration Program.

Projects awarded through this grant competition have strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components involving the removal of marine debris, including derelict fishing gear.

Projects also provide benefits to coastal communities, and create long-term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources.

Through this solicitation NOAA identifies marine debris removal projects, strengthens the development and implementation of habitat restoration through community-based marine debris removal, and fosters awareness of the effects of marine debris to further the conservation of living marine resource habitats, as well as contribute to the understanding of debris types and impacts.

Successful proposals through this solicitation will be funded through cooperative agreements.

Funding of up to $2,000,000 is expected to be available for Community-based Marine Debris Removal Project Grants in FY201 5. Typical awards will range from $50,000 to $150,00 0.