Three Maine facilities get NOAA grants

BAR HARBOR – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded $258,125 in grant funding to support scientific research and facilities in Bar Harbor, Biddeford and Wells.

The following projects received funding under the recent announcement:

. College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor: $63,850 for research to increase knowledge of whales in the Gulf of Maine and surrounding regions;

. Marine Animal Lifeline, Biddeford: $87,015 for renovations to its facility to provide enhanced rehabilitation care for stranded seals.

Planned renovations will allow for improved animal separation and provide dedicated areas for veterinary procedures. The organization will also receive $30,400 to develop a Geographic Information System to assist in locating stranded ice seals;

. Wells Reserve Management Authority, Wells: $76,860 to fund the design and construction of educational exhibits at the Marine Coastal Ecology Center.

U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced the grants last week.