Floodplains by design grant program
Learn more about climate action in Washington.
Floodplains by Design is a grant program for reducing flood risk and restoring floodplain functions in Washington's major river corridors. This competitive grant program is a component of a public-private partnership led by Ecology and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
Floodplains provide important habitat for salmon, rich soil for farms, and beautiful backdrops for residents and visitors to Washington. In the past, attempts were made to control rivers, thinking flooding could be stopped by walling off rivers with levees and laying a grid of commercial and residential development across them. Now, salmon runs are disappearing and more people live in the path of dangerous floodwaters.
Local and Tribal governments, along with nonprofit organizations, are using Floodplains by Design grants across Washington to complete multi-benefit projects that reduce flood hazards to communities and restore the natural functions of rivers and their floodplains. These projects bring together many different stakeholders in the floodplain to:
- Improve flood protection for communities that live and work in floodplains.
- Conserve and restore habitat for salmon and other important aquatic species.
- Preserve farmland to keep agriculture viable for future generations.
- Improve water quality.
- Enhance outdoor recreation.
Funding cycle
- Amount of funding available: Varies - determined by the Legislature
- Grant award limit: Soft cap of $10 million
- Amount of matching funds required: No match required as of the 2025-2027 funding cycle
Applications are not being accepted at this time.
Timeline for 2025-2027
| Date | Program Milestones and Expectations |
|---|---|
| Nov. 1, 2025 | Pre-application period opens. |
| Nov. 5-6, 2025 | Ecology hosts applicant webinars. |
| Jan. 23, 2026 | Pre-application period closes. |
| Feb. 6, 2026 | Pre-application review results announced. Approved applicants invited to give presentations. |
| March/April 2026 | Applicants give project presentations to the Evaluation Team. |
| March 12, 2026 | EAGL grant application period opens at 8 a.m. |
| May 13, 2026 | EAGL grant application period closes at 5 p.m. |
| May 18, 2026- July 2, 2026 |
Application evaluation period |
| Aug. 2026 | Ecology finalizes ranked project list. |
| April/May 2027 | Legislature makes the final funding decision. |
| June 2027 | Ecology sends applicants notice of funding decisions and grant award offer letters. |
| July 1, 2027 | Anticipated start date for funded grant agreements. |
| July/Aug. 2027 | Ecology sends draft grant agreements to funded applicants to begin negotiating funded grant agreements. |
Funding is available for the following entities:
- Counties, cities, and towns
- Special purpose districts, such as flood control districts
- Federally-recognized Tribes
- Conservation districts
- Ports
- Municipal or quasi-municipal corporations
- Not-for-profit organizations that are recognized as tax exempt by the IRS
Project types:
- Flood hazard reduction projects that also contain an ecosystem restoration aspect as outlined in the funding guidelines.
Examples of eligible projects:
- reducing flood risk to homes and structures
- restoring and reconnecting rivers and floodplains
- acquiring and protecting land from future development
- preserving agricultural lands
- improving water quality
More information about this funding program
More grant information
- Floodplains by Design 2025-27 Pre-Application
- Tribal Notification Letter Template
- Floodplains by Design 2025-27 Metrics Template
- Floodplains by Design 2025-27 EAGL Prep Tool
Funding program guidelines
Funding source
The Floodplains by Design grant program is paid for by funds from the Climate Commitment Act. The Climate Commitment Act supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health.
Related links
Contact information
Amelia Petersen
Floodplains by Design planner
amelia.petersen@ecy.wa.gov
360-480-3298
Lisa Nelson
Northwest Washington grant manager
Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties
lisa.nelson@ecy.wa.gov
425-213-4843
Matt Gerlach
Southwest Washington grant manager
Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties
matt.gerlach@ecy.wa.gov
360-584-2804
Alex Rosen
Southwest Washington grant manager
Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties
alex.rosen@ecy.wa.gov
360-810-0027
Vacant
Eastern Washington grant manager
Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties
Sandra Floyd
Central Washington grant manager
Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties
sandra.floyd@ecy.wa.gov
509-571-5679