The "Help Our Kelp Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the Department of Commerce to fund kelp forest ecosystem conservation, restoration, and management projects by various entities, including Indian Tribes, with \$5 million authorized annually from 2026-2030.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
The "Help Our Kelp Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the Department of Commerce to conserve, restore, and manage kelp forest ecosystems. Grants will be awarded to various entities, including fishing industry members, educational institutions, and Indian Tribes, for projects addressing kelp forest decline and promoting long-term resilience. The federal government can fund up to 85% of project costs, with specific funding set aside for Indian Tribes. The act authorizes \$5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030 for this program.
New 'Help Our Kelp Act' Offers $25M for Kelp Forest Recovery: Grants Available in 2026
The "Help Our Kelp Act of 2025" is setting up a new grant program to revive struggling kelp forests. Starting in 2026, the federal government will chip in $5 million annually through 2030 to fund projects aimed at bringing these vital underwater ecosystems back to life.
Kelp Revival: Who Can Get Funding?
The grants are open to a wide range, including folks in the fishing industry, universities, nonprofits, Indian Tribes, state agencies, and even local governments. The catch? You've got to team up. Applications need to show collaboration—meaning a fishing group might partner with a university research team, or a local government might work with a Tribe. It's all about bringing different skills to the table. This program kicks off within 180 days of the bill becoming law, so get your partnerships ready!
What Kind of Projects Get the Green Light?
This isn't just about planting kelp. The bill, particularly in SEC. 2, is looking for projects that tackle the big problems—like major kelp loss—and focus on long-term solutions. Think restoring the balance of the ecosystem (like managing sea urchin populations, as described in SEC. 2 (b)(2)(B)), using traditional Indigenous knowledge (SEC. 2 (b)(2)(D)), or even just keeping a close eye on how things are going (SEC. 2 (b)(2)(C)). For example, a Tribe might use their historical knowledge combined with new research to restore a local kelp forest, or a fishing group might work on removing invasive species that are killing off the kelp.
Cash and Contributions: How Funding Works
The feds will cover up to 85% of the project costs (SEC. 2 (c)(1)). The rest can be "in-kind" contributions—things like volunteer time, equipment use, or donated supplies. There's even a way to waive that matching requirement if it's just not doable, the project is super important, or it's on Tribal land (SEC. 2 (c)(2)). And here's a key detail: at least $750,000 each year is reserved specifically for Indian Tribes (SEC. 2 (e)(2)). If that money isn't used, it goes back into the general pot, and there's extra outreach to make sure Tribes know about the opportunity.
The Bottom Line
Kelp forests are essential for a lot of marine life and help protect our coasts. This bill is about making a real investment in their future. The "Administrator" (defined in SEC. 2 (f)(1) as the Secretary of Commerce, acting through NOAA) will be setting up the specific guidelines, focusing on solid science and community input (SEC. 2 (d)). It's a five-year plan with real money behind it, aiming to make a lasting difference for these underwater ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.