Coastal Protection Fund – Terry Husseman Account Grants

Terry Husseman Account (THA) grants support locally-sponsored projects that restore or enhance the environment. Typical projects address:

  • Water quality issues.
  • Fish and wildlife protection or enhancement in or adjacent to waters of the state, such as streams, lakes, wetlands, or the ocean.

To be considered, projects must provide primary benefits to public resources (land or water stewardship) and affiliated infrastructure.

Funding cycle

  • Amount of funding available: Variable. Funding awards depend on revenue from water quality penalties and available regional sub-account levels.
  • Funding allocated:
  • Grant award limit: Grant awards are up to a maximum of $50,000. The typical grant award ranges from $10,000 to $25,000.
  • Amount of matching funds required: There are no recipient match or cost-share requirements, since THA grants provide 100% of project Total Eligible Cost. THA grants also can help meet match requirements for other state grants.

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Start date: Feb 1, 2022
End date: Mar 1, 2022

The application period for restoration or enhancement projects is closed. Due to low revenue levels, we are unable to offer a robust statewide 2023 funding cycle. We anticipate the funding cycle will not open again until January 2024.

Environmental Emergency and Statewide Significance project type applications are accepted through Dec. 31, 2023.

Applicants who want to apply for these project type grants must first request approval from Ecology. Please contact Amy Krause, THA grant program coordinator, with your project proposal. If funding is available, we can initiate a new grant application in Ecology's Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) online system.

For more information, see our 2022 THA Funding Guidelines and application guidance documents linked below.

Funding is available for the following entities:

Eligible applicants:  

  • Washington counties, cities, and towns
  • Federally recognized Tribal governments
  • State agencies
  • Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEG)*
  • Special Purpose Districts:
    • Conservation Districts
    • Ports
    • Public Utility Districts

Private entities and non-profit organizations are not eligible to receive THA funding* (with the exception of RFEGs). However, they may partner with eligible applicants to provide more financial support in addition to the THA grant.

Projects that restore or enhance the natural environment.

Eligible project types:

  • Riparian restoration
  • Aquatic land geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Wetland restoration
  • Stream bank stabilization
  • Fish and wildlife habitat enhancement
  • Livestock exclusion fencing

Ineligible project types:

  • Watershed planning
  • Research and data gathering
  • Species Management (not habitat management)
  • Land use/stormwater management planning
  • Environmental monitoring

More information about this funding program

Funding program guidelines and application prep tool

Project proposal evaluations and grant award decisions

Project proposals are evaluated and considered for funding by each region. Grant award decisions are based on the following evaluation criteria with a total of 60 possible points:

  • Project Outcomes (10 points)
  • Deliverables (5 points)
  • Budget (5 points)
  • Project schedule (5 points)
  • Leveraged funds and resources (5 points)
  • Broad, local support (10 points)
  • Readiness to proceed (5 points)
  • Implementation of planning efforts (5 points)
  • Environmental Justice (5 points)
  • Climate Change (5 points)

For more information regarding the evaluation and scoring, see "Table 3, Project scoring criteria" in the THA 2022 Funding Guidelines. Before you begin filling out the application form, we recommend you contact the appropriate Regional Fund Coordinator listed below by email or telephone.