The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded a California nonprofit $71.1 million to combat climate change in the Monterey Bay area. 

NOAA provided the funding to California Marine Sanctuary Foundation through a nationwide grant competition via the Inflation Reduction Act. 

According to CMSF, the grant brings focus to the needs of coastal communities impacted by storm surge, sea level rise, and flooding from the San Lorenzo, Pajaro, Salinas and Carmel rivers, as well as areas prone to wildfire in coastal watersheds.

“This new funding represents a major investment in tangible, positive change for our local communities and environments that are experiencing worsening impacts from climate change,” CMSF Executive Director Robert Mazurek said in a statement Friday. “We’re truly thankful that NOAA has focused these federal funds on the Central Coast.” 

Sen. Alex Padilla emphasized the need for the funding.

“Monterey Bay communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis have faced disastrous consequences from flooding and fires these past several years,” Padilla said. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, this transformational investment will bolster climate-resilient infrastructure, protect fragile coastal ecosystems, and empower disadvantaged working families as Monterey Bay adapts and prepares for future disasters.” 

The California Marine Sanctuary Foundation is expected to use the grant to lead 21 partner organizations in their projects to combat climate change in the Bay Area. They plan to implement dozens of projects in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties with the help of local governments, schools and nonprofit organizations.  

Five fire risk reduction projects are planned across 7,150 acres — just under the size of Cupertino or Los Gatos. The fire reduction efforts include installing six miles of shaded fuel breaks, reducing fuel loads, and prescribed and cultural burning to reduce wildfire risks.  

Ten flood risk reduction projects are slated to improve the condition and functionality of coastal habitats, including projects in Castroville, Pajaro and Watsonville. 

Boosting local jobs

The grant will support 15 local full-time jobs, 270 less-than-full-time jobs and 350 paid internships, according to the press release.  

The program is expected to provide job training, certificates and job placement for recent high school graduates; climate technology and adaption training and certifications for graduate and undergraduate students; paid internships for undergraduates; fellowships for graduate students; and a certificate training program for Monterey Bay area professionals.  

The Inflation Reduction Act, which is funding the grant, was signed into law by President Joe Biden on August 16, 2022. 

Some of the program’s partners include Big Sur Land Trust, Central Coast Climate Collaborative, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation and Regeneración, among others. Participating academic institutions include California State University Monterey Bay, Hartnell College and University of California Santa Cruz.