Shovel-Ready Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act of 2021

To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to benefit coastal habitats, resiliency, and the economy, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Shovel-Ready Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act of 2021 2. Shovel-ready restoration and resiliency grant program (a) 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). (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) Eligible projects A project is described in this subsection if— (1) the purpose of the project is to restore a marine, estuarine, coastal, or Great Lake habitat, including— (A) 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 (B) through the removal or remediation of marine debris, including derelict vessels and fishing gear, in coastal and marine habitats; and (C) for the benefit of— (i) shellfish; (ii) fish, including diadromous fish; or (iii) coral reef; or (2) the project provides adaptation to climate change, including— (A) by constructing or protecting ecological features or nature-based infrastructure that protects coastal communities from sea level rise, coastal storms, or flooding; and (B) blue carbon projects. (e) Priority In determining which projects to fund under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to a proposed project— (1) that would stimulate the economy; (2) 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; (3) 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; (4) 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 (5) that includes communities that may not have adequate resources, including low-income communities, communities of color, Tribal communities, Indigenous communities, and rural communities. (f) 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. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) (2) Fisherman The term fisherman (3) Secretary The term Secretary

Summary: Shovel-Ready Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act of 2021 This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a grant program for states, tribal and local governments, and other entities to implement projects that restore a marine, estuarine, coastal, or Great Lakes habitat, or that provide adaptation to climate change. NOAA must prioritize projects that (1) stimulate the economy; (2) begin within 90 days after an entity is awarded a grant; (3) employ fishermen who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic or pay fishermen for the use of a fishing vessel; (4) demonstrate any required studies or permits have been completed or can be completed shortly after an award is made; or (5) include communities that may not have adequate resources, including communities of color, and low-income, tribal, indigenous, and rural communities.