The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3951-3956) (Act) established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal areas through competitive matching grants to eligible State, Commonwealth, and Territory (State) agencies. The NCWCG Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, and a portion of the gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines. Revenues are deposited into and appropriated from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The primary goal of the NCWCG Program is the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-58) authorizes funding for the NCWCG Program through Fiscal Year 2026.

The NCWCG Program provides eligible State agencies with grants for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. Projects can include:

1. Acquisition of a real property interest (e.g., conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or waters (coastal wetlands ecosystems) from willing sellers or partners for long‐term conservation;

2. Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems; or

3. A combination of acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management.