Floodplains by design grant program
Learn more about climate action in Washington.
Floodplains by Design (FbD) 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 FbD 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 FbD 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 state Legislature
- Grant award limit: Soft cap of $10 million
- Amount of matching funds required: No match required as of the 2025-27 funding cycle
Applications are not being accepted at this time.
Here is the timeline for the 2025-27 funding cycle:
| Date | Program Milestones and Expectations |
|---|---|
| Nov. 1, 2023 | Pre-application period opens. |
| Nov. 7-8, 2023 | Ecology hosts applicant webinars. |
| Jan. 12, 2024 | Pre-application period closes. |
| Jan. 26, 2024 | Pre-application review results announced. Approved applicants invited to give presentations. |
| Feb. 12-16, 2024 | Applicants give project presentations to the Evaluation Team. |
| March 12, 2024 | EAGL grant application period opens at 8 a.m. |
| May 1, 2024 | EAGL grant application period closes at 5 p.m. |
| May 6 - June 17, 2024 | Application evaluation period. |
| Aug. 2024 | Ecology finalizes ranked project list. |
| April-May 2025 | Legislature makes the final funding decision. |
| June 2025 | Ecology sends applicants the notice of funding decisions and grant award offer letters. |
| July 1, 2025 | Anticipated start date for funded grant agreements. |
| July-Aug. 2025 | 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 Internal Revenue Service
Flood hazard reduction projects that also contain an ecosystem restoration aspect as outlined in the funding guidelines. Examples include projects reducing flood risk to homes and structures; restoring and reconnecting rivers and floodplains; acquiring and protecting land from future development; preserving agricultural lands; and improving water quality.
More information about this funding program
Additional grant information
- FbD 2025-27 Pre-Application
- FbD 2025-27 New Applicant Workshop Presentation
- FbD 2025-27 Returning Applicant Workshop Presentation
- Match Updates and Frequently Asked Questions
- Tribal Notification Letter Template
- FbD 2025-27 Metrics Template
- FbD 2025-27 Application Instructions
- FbD 2025-27 EAGL Prep Tool
Funding program guidelines
- 2025-2027 version (publication no. 23-06-015)
- 2023-2025 version (publication no. 21-06-028)
- 2021-2023 version (publication no. 19-06-011)
- 2019-2021 version (publication no. 17-06-033)
Funding source
The Floodplains by Design grant program is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health.
Learn how CCA funds are supporting climate action across our state at www.climate.wa.gov.
Related links
Contact information
Amelia Petersen
Floodplains by Design planner
amelia.petersen@ecy.wa.gov
360-480-3298
Lisa Nelson
Northwest Washington grant manager
lisa.nelson@ecy.wa.gov
425-213-4843
Matt Gerlach
Southwest Washington grant manager
matt.gerlach@ecy.wa.gov
360-584-2804
Alex Rosen
Southwest Washington grant manager
alex.rosen@ecy.wa.gov
360-810-0027
Vacant
Eastern Washington grant manager
Sandra Floyd
Central Washington grant manager
sandra.floyd@ecy.wa.gov
509-571-5679
For a list of counties in each region, visit our Contact Us page.