The annual funding is distributed by formula to U.S. states and territories.
“This is 17th year that NOAA has provided a grant to the commonwealth for the important environmental protection programs administered by the Coastal Resources Management Office,” said CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan.
“As always, we appreciate this assistance, which is just a small part of the $130 million that comes to the Northern Marianas each year from the U.S. government,” he added.
The annual coastal resources grant provides support for land development permit application review and processing, development project permit compliance, monitoring, and enforcement, geospatial data coordination, geographic information services and analysis, watershed and non-point source pollution management planning, special area management planning, and public outreach and education.
This year’s award is also supporting new initiatives such as wetlands valuation and a no net loss policy for wetlands.
