NH Gets $3.7M toward Coastal Resilience

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations subcommittee, led the NH congressional delegation in welcoming $3,794,613 in new grants from the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) to help make the NH coast more relient to climate change. The funding was announced through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

This funding is a significant increase above prior years as the state receives funding to restore habitat and protect communities, building on planning grants in previous years.

Senator Maggie Hassan directly steered $492 million for the 2021 National Coastal Resilience Fund through the bipartisan infrastructure deal that she and Shaheen helped negotiate, which was signed into law last week.

“Coastal communities in New Hampshire are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and time is of the essence to invest in their resilience. I’m pleased to welcome over $3.5 million to New Hampshire to address the dual crises of safeguarding our infrastructure from the devastation of natural disasters and preserving local wildlife,” said Senator Shaheen. “This funding will help our communities harness the benefits of natural habitats for protection as we adapt to a changing climate. I’m committed to working in the Senate to ensure our communities aren’t left vulnerable to climate change and to enhance habitats for fish and wildlife.”

“Granite Staters are already feeling and seeing the impacts of climate change, which is why I fought to include more funding for the National Coastal Resiliency Fund in the bipartisan infrastructure law, which will help our coastal communities better prepare for increased flooding and more severe weather,” said Senator Hassan. “This funding through the National Coastal Resiliency Fund to New Hampshire will improve our coastal resiliency, and I will continue working to address climate change and ensure that New Hampshire is well-prepared for the increasingly dramatic impacts of it.”

“New Hampshire’s seacoast and our oceanfront communities have felt the impact of climate change. It’s essential we invest in our natural infrastructure to offset the destruction of storms and flooding for generations to come,” said Rep. Annie Kuster. “I’m pleased to see this federal funding from the National Coastal Resilience Fund heading to our state to protect coastal communities and wildlife habitats.”

“Supporting resiliency efforts along our coast is essential to protecting the environment and safeguarding our infrastructure,” said Rep. Chris Pappas. “These funds will help ensure New Hampshire can adapt and plan effectively for sea level rise and severe weather. I’ll continue fighting for smart investments that will allow New Hampshire to mitigate the threats from climate change and protect our communities.”

The NCRF strengthens natural infrastructure to protect coastal communities and preserve habitats for wildlife. By restoring coastal marshes, wetlands, forests, rivers and more, the NCRF helps reduce the impacts of natural disasters on local communities.

The two grants announced for New Hampshire from the NCRF include:

• $3,094,613 to University of New Hampshire – Building Coastal Resilience for the Broader Great Marsh System of New Hampshire and Massachusetts
• $700,000 to NH Department of Environmental Services – Building Capacity for Coastal Resilience Analysis to Protect Communities and Tidal Wetlands