Surfrider Foundation is urging federal leaders to support critical funding, programs, and staffing for the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the lead federal agency responsible for managing our nation's ocean and coasts, as well as monitoring weather and climate change impacts. The agency depends on annual funding from Congress to implement its ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes management programs. However, the Trump administration is taking steps to cut NOAA staffing and funding in the coming year, as evidenced by the President’s budget proposal and efforts to bypass the Congressional budget process and stop spending internally at NOAA.
Despite efforts by the administration to stymie agency efforts and programs, FY2026 proposals have largely protected funding for key programs and initiatives, demonstrating the importance of NOAA to coastal and Great Lakes states and communities.
Surfrider’s top priorities for robust NOAA funding in FY 2026 include: National Marine Sanctuaries, Coastal Zone Management and Coastal Resilience programs. Surfrider is also urging Congress to maintain critical funding for IOOS, Coral Reef, and Sea Grant programs. Finally, we are urging Congress to reject any harmful policy riders that threaten environmental protections, including attacks on the Coastal Zone Management Act.
Ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes management, science and stewardship is critical to our nation's communities, economy, and way of life. Below is a summary of just some of NOAA's crucial functions and benefits for the American public:
Take Action to Protect our Coasts!
Please contact your Congressional Representatives in Washington D.C. and ask them to support critical funding for NOAA in the FY 2026 budget.