Protect National Coastal and Ocean Programs

Surfrider Foundation is urging federal leaders to continue to support critical funding for priority programs, while uplifting legislation that reauthorizes, increases funding for, or expands key programs, data, research, and staffing for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the 119th Congress. NOAA is the lead federal agency responsible for managing our nation's coasts and ocean, predicting and monitoring weather, and addressing climate change impacts and coastal hazards. The agency depends on robust annual funding from Congress to implement its ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes management programs. 

Despite efforts by the Trump administration to cut NOAA staffing and and defund agency programs directly and indirectly in 2025, the FY26 Department of Commerce budget signed into law in January 2026 reflected level funding for key coastal and ocean programs. Funding levels for these programs and initiatives demonstrate both the importance of NOAA to coastal and Great Lakes states and communities, and the bipartisan support for protecting coastlines across the nation. 

While funding levels for priority NOAA programs were by and large protected for FY26 budget, the fight to robustly fund the agency in light of growing climate change impacts and coastal hazards is far from over. The agency remains underfunded for and understaffed following reductions in force (RIFs) and efforts to bypass the Congressional budget process and stop spending internally at NOAA in 2025. Surfrider’s top priorities for robust NOAA funding in FY27 include: National Marine Sanctuaries, Coastal Zone Management and Coastal Resilience programs, IOOS, Coral Reef, National Estuarine Research Reserves, Conservation and Estuarine Land Conservation, and Sea Grant programs. 

As Surfrider continues to advocate to adequately fund key NOAA through the federal budget process in 2026, we are also advocating for the passage of legislation that renews or expands important NOAA programs, including the Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act and the Digital Coast Act. Passing these bills helps to ensure that funding is being actively funneled to programs that are of vital importance to coastal communities and ecosystems in light of increasing coastal hazards. 

Ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes management, science and stewardship is critical to our nation's coastlines, communities, economy, and way of life. Below is a summary of just some of NOAA's crucial functions and benefits for the American people:

• Protecting vibrant marine ecosystems through National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine Monuments.
• Managing our nation's coasts in partnership with states, Tribes, and communities to protect these vital resources for public use and enjoyment.
• Supporting community efforts to adapt to the effects of climate change, including sea level rise, coastal flooding, and extreme weather.
• Researching the effects of climate change so we can better understand the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on our planet and coastlines.
• Protecting endangered and threatened marine species, including whales, sea turtles, and other wildlife.
• Addressing plastic pollution in our ocean through research, education, and marine debris removal. 
• Ensuring sustainable fisheries that support working waterfolk and help keep our seafood safe for consumption.
• Providing accurate and timely weather forecasts and notifications that serve the needs of millions of people every day and a critical public safety function.
• Collaborating with partners to conduct research that improves our understanding of the marine and coastal environment.