Sonoma County to receive nearly $15 million from Biden Administration for environmental projects

April 21, 2023

Through three separate environmental projects, Sonoma County could be the benefactor of nearly $15 million in federal funding thanks to the efforts of the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, the Greater Farralones Association and the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria, Congressman Jared Huffman announced Friday, Apr. 21.

According to a press release from Huffman, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the Department of Commerce recommended the three projects receive the funding, along with nine other projects across Northern California, as part of the Biden Administration’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative. The initiative and funding are an effort to make the community and the economy resilient to climate change by creating jobs and boosting economic and environmental outcomes for coastal communities.

“The importance of healthy, climate-resilient coasts cannot be overstated. The economy, jobs, recreation and the culture and subsistence of tribes are all centered around the iconic coastlines and thriving ecosystems of our region. But climate change and underfunding have left our coastal communities under serious threat,” Huffman said. “We have a responsibility to protect these places, which is why I strongly advocated for this funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. I’m incredibly glad to see investments going towards so many great projects in my district that will have an enormous impact for all that rely on our coasts.”

At this point, the application approval and obligation of funds is still waiting final approval.

Administered by the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Climate-Ready Coasts initiative is focused on investing in high-impact projects that create climate solutions by storing carbon; build resilience to coastal hazards such as extreme weather events, pollution and marine debris; restore coastal habitats that help wildlife and humans thrive; build the capacity of underserved communities and support community-driven restoration; and provide employment opportunities.

“These projects will not only advance floodplain and wetland habitat restoration and protection efforts across northern California, but also greatly strengthen our climate resilience throughout local communities, benefitting the wider ecosystem as a whole,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “NOAA is proud to recommend these projects to help coastal communities invest in their future and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.”

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By:  Amie Windsor
Source: Sonoma County Gazette