Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58), known as the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021” (IIJA). The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) specifically identifies the National Estuary Program (NEP) as key partners for implementation and provides $132 million for the 28 longstanding National Estuary Programs (NEPs) for fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

Do your project needs meet the criteria for BIL Funding?

projects implemented through BIL must:

Accelerate and more extensively implement our Coastal Bend Bays Plan, 2nd. Edition
Ensure benefits reach disadvantaged communities*
Build adaptive capacity of ecosystems and communities

project must accomplish at least one of the following:

Improve habitat, addresses water quality challenges, or prevents or reduces nonpoint source pollution.
Facilitates public access to the benefits of the estuary, including all types of recreation.
Expands education and/or deepens community engagement.
Expands the adaptive capacity of communities to be resilient to climate change.

Do you have a project idea that meets these criteria?

If you have a project idea that meets BIL priorities, submit your proposal below!

BIL Project Proposal Form

supporting resources

BIL Implementation Memo
NEP BIL Website

CBBEP Documents

Equity Strategy
Long Term Plan
Climate Change Risk-based Adaptation Plan coming soon.

bil workplans

FY 2022-2023
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2026

*Executive Order 14008 uses the phrase “disadvantaged communities,” and this term has been used in existing Federal and state programs to prioritize funding for environmental justice. Some community members and advocates prefer alternative terminology, and specifically the use of “overburdened and underserved communities.” Until subsequent guidance can address the question of the most appropriate terminology, this memorandum relies on the language used in Executive Order 14008.