I
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 660
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 1, 2021
Ms. Plaskett (for herself and Mr. Young) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to benefit coastal habitats, resiliency, and the economy, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Shovel-Ready Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act of 2021
.
Shovel-ready restoration and resiliency grant program
Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a grant program to provide funding and technical assistance to eligible entities for purposes of carrying out a project described in subsection (d).
Project proposal
To be considered for a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit a grant proposal to the Secretary in a time, place, and manner determined by the Secretary. Such proposal shall include monitoring, data collection, and measurable performance criteria with respect to the project.
Development of criteria
The Secretary shall select eligible entities to receive grants under this section based on criteria developed by the Secretary, in consultation with relevant offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, such as the Office of Habitat Conservation and the Office for Coastal Management.
Eligible projects
A project is described in this subsection if—
the purpose of the project is to restore a marine, estuarine, coastal, or Great Lake habitat, including—
restoration of habitat to protect or recover a species that is threatened, endangered, or a species of concern under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
through the removal or remediation of marine debris, including derelict vessels and fishing gear, in coastal and marine habitats; and
for the benefit of—
shellfish;
fish, including diadromous fish; or
coral reef; or
the project provides adaptation to climate change, including—
by constructing or protecting ecological features or nature-based infrastructure that protects coastal communities from sea level rise, coastal storms, or flooding; and
blue carbon projects.
Priority
In determining which projects to fund under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to a proposed project—
that would stimulate the economy;
for which the applicant can demonstrate that the grant will fund work that will begin not more than 90 days after the date of the award;
for which the applicant can demonstrate that the grant will fund work that will employ fishermen who have been negatively impacted by the COVID–19 pandemic or pay a fisherman for the use of a fishing vessel;
for which the applicant can demonstrate that any preliminary study or permit required before the project can begin has been completed or can be completed shortly after an award is made; or
that includes communities that may not have adequate resources, including low-income communities, communities of color, Tribal communities, Indigenous communities, and rural communities.
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, to remain available until expended, to carry out this section.
Definitions
In this section:
Eligible entity
The term eligible entity
means a nonprofit, a for-profit business, an institution of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))), or a State, local, Tribal, or Territorial government.
Fisherman
The term fisherman
means a commercial or for-hire fisherman or an oyster farmer.
Secretary
The term Secretary
means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
