Biden-Harris Administration recommends funding of $14.3 million for projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands to strengthen Climate-Ready Coasts as part of Investing in America agenda

Today, Vice President Harris announced that the Department of Commerce has recommended $14.3 million for projects across the U.S. Virgin Islands to make communities and the economy more resilient to climate change, as part of the Investing in America agenda.  Across the U.S. Virgin Islands, three projects will create jobs and boost economic and environmental outcomes for coastal communities. The awards are made under the Biden Administration’s Climate-Ready Coasts initiative funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) with additional funds leveraged from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to recommend funding for projects that will restore and protect the U.S. Virgin Islands diverse system of coral reefs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This historic investment is critical to supporting the ability for these reefs to withstand the effects of climate is essential to the Islands ecological health and economic growth.”

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.

“This historic funding will accelerate efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands to prepare for and respond to climate change,” said Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “These projects will use innovative approaches to protect and restore coral reefs, which are critical to the natural resilience and economic well-being of the Islands.”

These projects are part of NOAA’s nearly $6 billion total investment under BIL and IRA. Recommended projects and funding amounts in the U.S. Virgin Islands include:

• Multi-Site Coral Reef Restoration to Build Resilient Communities in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
  Coral Restoration Foundation: $6.9 million
  Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants
  Investments in coral reef restoration will help provide coastal protection, enhance fisheries, and support recreation and tourism economies across Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This project will help rebuild populations of five Endangered Species Act-listed corals at multiple sites, including reefs associated with ongoing NOAA efforts in these areas. The project’s outreach and education activities will engage Girl Scouts, student interns, and the local community by building on an established outreach program.
• United States Virgin Islands Transformational Reef Restoration
  The Nature Conservancy: $6.6 million
  Funding Source: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants
  This project will restore 90 acres of coral reef within the St. Croix East End Marine Park and will help recover marine species and contribute to a healthy reef ecosystem that supports tourism and fisheries, benefiting the community of St. Croix. This large-scale project will focus on five species of corals listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, including elkhorn and staghorn corals. Coral outplants will be sourced from donor corals that have survived bleaching events and disease in order to increase genetic diversity and support the reef’s ability to withstand climate change. 
• Residential Erosion Control: Restoration in Vulnerable U.S. Virgin Islands Communities 
  U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources: $878,000
  Funding Source: Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities
  The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources will help residents of the territory address stormwater runoff and soil erosion issues on their property. Through the Virgin Islands Clean Coasts Program, the department previously conducted property evaluations and proposed recommendations for managing runoff and erosion. Through this project, they will work to implement these recommendations and fix issues that were identified.