Help Our Kelp Act of 2025
The Help Our Kelp Act of 2025 would create a new federal grant program administered by the Secretary of Commerce (via NOAA) to conserve, restore, and manage kelp forest ecosystems. The program aims to address declines in kelp forests by funding projects that improve ecological resilience and related socioeconomic outcomes, with a particular emphasis on incorporating Indigenous knowledge and tribal co-management. The Act establishes eligibility, project criteria, a cost-sharing rule (up to 85% federal funding), and a multi-year funding horizon ($5 million per year from FY2026–FY2030), along with specific provisions to ensure tribal access to funds and opportunities for outreach if no tribes receive grants in a given year. In short, the bill would authorize a federally funded grant program focused on kelp forest health and resilience, encourage collaboration among a range of eligible entities (including tribes, state/local governments, universities, and nonprofits), and promote science-based, community-engaged restoration and management, with a strong instruction to consider Indigenous practices and co-management approaches.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of a NOAA-administered grant program to conserve, restore, and manage kelp forest ecosystems, with a deadline of 180 days after enactment.
- 2Eligible entities include fishing industry members, colleges/universities, nonprofits, Indian Tribes, state agencies, and local governments; projects must be developed or implemented in collaboration with other eligible entities.
- 3Eligible projects must address declines in kelp forests and focus on resilience (ecological and socioeconomic), kelp seeding/connectivity, trophic relationships (e.g., predator control via urchin removal and sunflower sea star recovery), monitoring, and integration of Indigenous knowledge/co-management.
- 4Matching requirements: generally up to 85% federal funding with the remainder in nonfederal (in-kind) support; waivers possible under specified conditions, including Indian Tribe lands.
- 5Funding and tribal emphasis: authorized appropriations of $5,000,000 per fiscal year 2026–2030; at least $750,000 each year must be available for grants to eligible Indian Tribes; if no tribe is awarded, funds revert to other eligible entities and outreach to Tribes is required.