2020 Coastal Watersheds Grant Announcement
RAE grants more than $1.33 million to estuary restoration projects through NEP Coastal Watersheds Grant
On behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) has facilitated the funding of $1,086,373 to seven coastal organizations to improve water quality and 
restore critical coastal habitat. Grant recipients include municipalities, non-profit organizations, and National Estuary Programs.
2020 was the first year RAE administered the Coastal Watersheds Grant Program. The program received over 200 letters of intent, with requests for over $40 million.
“This turnout unequivocally demonstrates the demand and need in our coastal communities and the enthusiasm to invest in them. We look forward to working with current and future awardees to make meaningful impacts in our nation’s estuaries” said Suzanne Simon, NEP Coastal Watersheds Grant Program Director for RAE.
Representatives Garret Graves (LA-06), Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Salud Carbajal (CA-24) joined the virtual announcement to pass on their congratulations alongside Bob Benson, EPA Acting Chief of the Partnership Programs Branch, Office of Water.
The National Estuary Program (NEP) was established in 1987 through the Clean Water Act dedicated to protecting and restoring water quality and ecological integrity of 28 estuaries across the country. The NEP is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The NEP Coastal Watersheds Grant Program is a nationally competitive program designed to support projects within designated estuaries to tackle urgent challenging issues threatening the well-being of coastal ecosystems.
A recording of this year’s announcement will be available on Restore America’s Estuaries YouTube channel in the coming days.
RAE applauds this year’s grant recipients and we look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition.
List of Awardees
Morro Bay National Estuary Program | Building Climate Resilience and Improving Water Quality through Eelgrass Restoration in Morro Bay, CA | $163,684
The Bay Foundation | Santa Monica Bay Subtidal Eelgrass Restoration | $172,038
Lowlander Center | Lagniappe for the working coast: reducing flood risk and protecting sacred sites and tribal communities’ resilience by strengthening Louisiana’s marshes | $246,385
Buzzards Bay Coalition | Optimizing & Expanding the Impact of Nitrogen-Reducing Septic Systems (NRSS) | $75,552
Hudson River Foundation / NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program | Restoring Aquatic Habitat hrough Climate-Ready Infrastructure | $84,248
Kwiaht | Living Breakwaters for Estuaries in the San Juan Islands | $94,466
