Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Opportunity to Advance Resilience in Disadvantaged Communities (SOAR)

SECoastalNE@epa.gov

The Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Opportunity to Advance Resilience in Disadvantaged Communities (SOAR) Program will provide funding for planning, implementation, outreach, training, capacity, and staff-building projects in Southeastern New England. Projects should address climate change and the historic, long term impacts of environmental and social injustices in disadvantaged communities. Tribal lands are a program priority.

Program goals and outcomes should be in the areas of:

1. Sustainable communities
   • Secure sustainable water-based resources to foster local economies in the key areas of tourism, property values, and locally significant industries
   • Resilient development that protects populated areas and vulnerable infrastructure through nature-based solutions and climate adaptation approaches
   • Widespread access to local green space to support mental, physical, and spiritual well being
   • Locally sustainable food production framework that provides access to healthy foods in the region
   • Policies to foster social/climate equity and eliminate disproportionate harmful impacts to environmental justice (EJ) and underserved communities in the region
2. Safe and healthy coastal waters
   • Healthy seagrass and benthic communities, fisheries, and shellfisheries
   • Coastal waters and ponds free from algal blooms, hypoxia, and pathogen pollution above natural levels
   • Safe water-based recreation
3. Thriving watersheds and natural lands
   • Watersheds and landscape components maintain diverse natural lands and habitats; support native species diversity and inhibit the introduction, spread, and impact of invasive and nuisance species; and provide critical services such as pollution attenuation, air purification, flood protection, carbon sequestration, and pollination
   • Habitat can adapt and/or migrate in response to the climate change impacts of sea level rise, storm surge, higher temperature, and altered precipitation patterns
   • Major rivers discharging to Narragansett Bay, and streams discharging to embayments sustain aquatic habitat with adequate stream flow, appropriate temperature, riparian buffer, and stream connectivity

Priority will be given to activities that:

• Increase local capacity to complete projects and adopt new policies
• Increase available solutions
• Ensure diverse representation in program decision-making
• Demonstrate ways to address common challenges
• Increase community leaders' understanding of the benefits of restoration projects

Eligible applicants include:

• State, local, and tribal governments
• Hospitals operated by state, tribal, and local governments
• Public and private universities and colleges
• Public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations
• Interstate agencies
• Intertribal consortia

The program service area includes Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and the 3 tribal nations within the geography.

Expected award range: $50,000-$300,000
Project period: Up to 5 years
Estimated number of awards: 10
Estimated total program funding: $1,250,000

Links to the full announcement and online application process are available through grants.gov. The application instructions will be found on the related documents tab.