AUGUSTA — The state is suing the federal government over the cancelation of $9 million in salt marsh restoration and storm resiliency funds.

In a lawsuit filed this week, the Maine Department of Marine Resources alleges that the termination is part of a continuing pattern of retaliation for Maine’s stance on transgender athlete participation.

However, the termination letter issued by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in April makes no mention of the ongoing dispute but says that the decision is part of “efforts to streamline and reduce the cost and size of the Federal Government.”

The state argues that NOAA has not ended funding for 17 similar projects in other states.

“The backdrop for NOAA’s otherwise inexplicable decision is the State of Maine’s ongoing dispute with the Trump Administration over Title IX of the Civil Rights Law of 1964 and the participation of transgender girls and women on girls’ and women’s teams in school athletic programs,” the lawsuit states.

The dispute between Maine and the Trump administration started in February, when President Donald Trump called out Gov. Janet Mills during a meeting with governors. He warned her that he would pull all federal funds from Maine if she did not comply with his executive order barring transgender girls from girls’ sports teams.

Mills told him she would see him in court.

Since then, the federal government has pulled — and in many cases restored — funding from a variety of programs, including those that support aquaculture and research at the University of Maine.

In April, Attorney General Pam Bondi sued the Maine Department of Education, alleging that it “is openly and defiantly flouting federal anti-discrimination law by enforcing policies that require girls to compete against boys in athletic competitions designated exclusively for girls.”

A hearing in that case is set for April 2026.

With regard to the salt marsh funds, the federal government says NOAA is moving in a different direction and suggested that Maine look elsewhere for funding.

“Specifically, NOAA has concluded that the initial planning and design for this project is an overuse of taxpayer dollars,” according to the April 9 letter. “The stated goal and description of the program — restoration of salt marsh and related effects — fall outside of the current direction NOAA is taking regarding habitat restoration at this time.”

The complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court emphasizes the importance of the project to Washington County, particularly the towns of Columbia and Addison. Last year, the state applied for the grant to replace “a failing road crossing on the West Branch Pleasant River” and elevate the road.

State officials say the work is necessary because the area often floods during heavy rain and that the improvements will restore tidal flow and fish passage.

“Washington County, Maine, is one of the most fisheries-dependent regions along the East Coast of the United States,” according to the grant application. “The towns in the project area are not only dependent on fisheries but are also critically underserved communities.”