Don Young Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act of 2023 - Fall

Advisor: Ryshelle McCadney

Team Members: Radhika Ajayan, Kate McCarthy, Christina Morano, Greg Porter, Cristina Rocca, Christina Van Dyke, Mikelison Womack, Simon Yacher, Yawen Zhang, Abby Jordan, Abby Austin

The Don Young Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act authorizes a federal grant program to restore degraded coastal and marine ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and support communities dependent on fisheries. U.S. coastlines face increasing threats from pollution, habitat loss, overfishing, and climate-driven impacts such as sea-level rise and stronger storms. The legislation allocates substantial federal funding to restoration projects, prioritizing efforts that restore habitats, protect coastal infrastructure, remove marine debris, and support economically vulnerable fishing communities. Emphasis on environmental justice ensures that marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental degradation receive targeted support.

Implementation analysis identified NOAA’s Acquisition and Grants Office as the central administrative body, responsible for managing grant selection, staffing, and oversight. Findings highlight the importance of establishing transparent grant evaluation criteria, investing in workforce capacity, and prioritizing projects that deliver both ecological and economic benefits. Strategic allocation of funding toward shovel-ready projects and those with strong community engagement improves early program outcomes and accelerates ecosystem recovery. Performance monitoring systems focusing on habitat restoration metrics, economic recovery indicators, and community resilience enable adaptive program management. By combining ecological restoration with economic revitalization, the legislation supports both ecosystem recovery and long-term coastal community sustainability.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.