THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS PROVIDED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (UNH) TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PISCATAQUA REGION ESTUARIES PARTNERSHIP (PREP) NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM (NEP) COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP). THE GOAL IS TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN THE CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF THE ESTUARY AND SUPPORT ITS SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES. IN PARTICULAR, THIS BIL/IIJA ITERATION-ONE AWARD WILL IMPLEMENT INFRASTRUCTURAL WORK TO RESTORE, PRESERVE, AND ENHANCE THE ECOLOGICAL, WATER QUALITY, HUMAN AND WILDLIFE HABITAT FUNCTIONS OF THE WATERS IN THE REGION AND WATERSHED, AND ARE FURTHER DETAILED IN A.23.B BELOW. WORK WILL BE PERFORMED BY UNH FACULTY AND STAFF, INCLUDING PREP STAFF AND UNH FACULTY IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS. THE GRANTEE, UNH, WILL REQUISITION AND ACQUIRE SOME SERVICES TO CONDUCT THE WORK BY ISSUING CONTRACTS TO SERVICE PROVIDERS. SUBAWARDS WILL BE USED IN PART TO PERFORM SOME OF THE WORK. FOR EXAMPLE, A COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM (PREPA) TO LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES. MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE SUBAWARDEES AND SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED BELOW IN SECTION A.23.D, AS WELL AS IN THE BIL ITERATION-TWO WORKPLAN.ACTIVITIES:ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PREP CCMP ARE DESCRIBED IN THE BIL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT ANNUAL WORKPLAN AND CONTINUE TO ENGAGE THE STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES AND RESIDENTS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, MAINE, AND A FEW SQUARE MILES OF MASSACHUSETTS IN THE EFFORT. IN SHORT, THOSE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: * COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION AMONG PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS * ENHANCEMENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, JUSTICE, AND INCLUSION ACTIVITIES * ENHANCED SEAGRASS AND SEAWEED MONITORING * PREPA IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS * HABITAT RESTORATION EFFORTS * CLAM BED HEALTH MONITORING * WATER QUALITY DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS * HORSESHOE CRAB POPULATION HEALTH MONITORING SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARD TO PLYMOUTH STATE UNIVERSITY (NH): THIS PROPOSAL BUILDS ON AN EXISTING ~10 YEAR PROGRAM THAT SEEKS TO ESTABLISH BASELINE POPULATION DATA REGARDING THE BREEDING BEHAVIOR AND HABITAT SELECTION FOR THE AMERICAN HORSESHOE CRAB, LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS. HORSESHOE CRABS ARE CRUCIAL TO THE HEALTH OF GREAT BAY AS THEY ARE CONSIDERED KEYSTONE BIOTURBATORS AND THEIR EGGS ARE CONSUMED BY MANY LOWER TROPHIC LEVEL ANIMALS INCLUDING THE UBIQUITOUS MUMMICHOG. THEY ARE ALSO OF BIOMEDICAL INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE BECAUSE THEIR BLOOD IS USED TO PRODUCE THE MOST SENSITIVE ASSAY LIMULUS AMOEBOCYTE LYSATE) AGAINST GRAM NEGATIVE BACTERIA AND IS USED TO ENSURE THAT PHARMACEUTICALS AND OTHER BIOMEDICAL PRODUCTS ARE FREE FROM BACTERIAL CONTAMINATIONOUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: * CONSERVATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS * INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF SALT MARSH HEALTH * COLLABORATIVE AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HSE MANAGEMENT PLAN, IN COORDINATION WITH THE SEABROOK#8208;HAMPTONS ESTUARY ALLIANCE (SHEA), AND LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: * IMPROVED INFORMATION ON HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY STRESSORS * IMPROVED INFORMATION ON * IMPROVED COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES ON POLLUTION REMEDIATION * IMPROVED CLIMATE RESILIENCY FOR LANDS AND MUNICIPALITIES IN THE STUDY AREA