New FEMA Administrator Confirmed | NFWF RFP: Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund

With the House of Representatives out of session until August 31, and the Senate out until September 14, I expected August to be fairly quiet but there are a few key developments to share.

Senate confirms Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA and clears 73 other Trump nominees before adjourning, report PBS. E&E News reports that FEMA overhaul now likely as agency gets new leader backed by Congress.

A hat tip to Team Alabama who had me researching a completely different issue when I came across this RFP from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for projects to be considered for funding under the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. In FY27, up to $11 million in grants will be available to eligible projects will reduce marine debris from coastal habitats and nearshore waters of coastal counties in Guam, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina impacted by the 2023-2024 hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton, and Typhoon Mawar.

NFWF is holding a proposal webinar on August 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Registration form is available here.

Proposal Deadline is October 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Awards will be announced in March 2027.

Detailed information on the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund FY27 grants and a link to the application is available here.

This a targeted grant opportunity but for many of communities still struggling to recover from Hurricanes Helena and Milton, this would be critical funding.

Good Reads

WRNJ Radio: Morris Country (NJ) launches Farm Trail Passport to promote local farms.

KFOX14: Las Cruces launches self-guided film tour highlighting movie and TV locations.

Travel Mole: Philadelphia turns books into a destination. Key takeaway: “In an increasingly competitive U.S. tourism market, the Greater Philadelphia region is effectively using literature as an unconventional destination-marketing tool, linking bookstores and literary themes with hotels, gardens, museums, bars, and historic buildings.

It is August in an election year, this is an excellent time to talk to your congressional delegation about the issues that matter to your community. The Senate Agriculture Committee has been considering incorporating the AGRITOURISM Act into the Farm Bill. The final text of the America the Beautiful Act is being worked out. And a bill to reauthorize the American Battlefields Protection Program needs to be approved by the Senate. There is a lot to talk about with your elected officials. I am attaching the summer talking points below so tourism leaders are prepared to talk tourism should the opportunity arise. And if you do have a meeting, please send along photos. We love to advocacy in action.