The U.S. Department of Transportation’s PROTECT* Program has grant funding available for surface transportation resilience improvement projects that address immediate and long-range planning and investments.
These grants aim to support solutions to protect surface transportation infrastructure from the impacts of sea level rise, storm surge, flooding, wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters. Nature-based and green infrastructure approaches, as well as traditional approaches, are eligible for funding.
Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. is a recognized leader in providing green infrastructure that contributes to resilience planning, including:
- Stream restoration
- Wetland mitigation
- Stormwater outfall restoration
- Stormwater management solutions (bioswales, raingardens, and a wide range of BMPs)
- Riparian planting
- Living shorelines
- Shade tree management
- Regulatory analysis and permitting
The $848 million available is for states, local governments, tribes, metropolitan planning organizations, and federal land management agencies. Planning projects must be at least $100,000 in scope, and implementation projects have a $500,000 threshold. The grant program may require up to 20 percent matching funds, depending on the proposed project.
Applications are due August 18, 2023.
* Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program
WSSI’s living shoreline at Woodstock Cove in Virginia Beach protects the park entrance road from encroaching erosion while adding wildlife and pollinator habitat to the area.
WSSI’s stream restoration projects, like this one at Hunter’s Branch in Vienna, Virginia, help manage stormwater to reduce harm to road culverts and other transportation infrastructure.