Flood control assistance account program (FCAAP)

The Washington Legislature established the Flood Control Assistance Account Program (FCAAP) in 1984 to assist local governments and Tribes develop comprehensive floodplain management plans and put actions and projects in place to mitigate local flood hazards. 

Eligible projects include:

  • Developing and writing or updating a comprehensive flood hazard management plan.
  • Feasibility, mapping, and technical studies.
  • Permitting work.
  • Community, Tribal, and stakeholder outreach & engagement efforts.
  • Public flood risk communications.
  • Match for federal projects.
  • Emergency flood response and recovery work.

Funding cycle

  • Amount of funding available: Approximately $1.5 million for all projects.
  • Grant award limit: There is a $500,000 limit per county.
  • Amount of matching funds required: 25% for planning projects and 20% for emergency flood response projects.

Applications are currently being accepted.

Applications for planning projects in the 2025-2027 funding cycle open Jan. 1, 2025. If you are interested in applying, please download and fill out the Notice of Intent to Apply form listed below. For more information, see the 2025-2027 Funding Guidelines below.

Emergency project applications are currently being accepted.

Applications for 2023-2025 emergency projects are being accepted through June 30, 2025, on a case-by-case basis and until all funds have been awarded. 

For more information, see the 2023-2025 Funding Guidelines, Application Instructions, and other guidance documents below. 

Funding is available for the following entities:

Eligible competitive planning project applicants: Cities, towns, counties, federally recognized Tribes, conservation districts, and special purpose districts, such as flood control districts.

Flood planning projects in underserved communities will be given priority funding.

Eligible emergency project applicants: Cities, towns, counties, conservation districts, and special purpose districts, such as flood control districts.

Flood planning projects in underserved communities will be given priority funding.

Eligible flood planning projects include:

  • Developing and writing or updating Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plans (CFHMPs). CFHMPs must be consistent with state regulations (Chapter 173-145 WAC).
  • Feasibility studies; community outreach and stakeholder engagement efforts; mapping projects, including Channel Migration Zone delineations; permitting work; public flood risk communications; and other activities that supports developing or updating a CFHMPs.
  • Match for federal projects that lead to CFHMPs. For example, federal General Investigations.

Eligible emergency projects include:

  • Emergency flood response and recovery work.

More information about this funding program

2023-25 Flood Control Assistance Account Program grants

The Legislature appropriated $2.3 million to fund FCAAP Planning projects for the 2023-25 biennium. We worked closely with our partner, the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, to evaluate and rank the projects.

2023-25 funded planning projects

Project

Grant Amount (not including match)

Columbia County Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan

Columbia County Planning & Building will develop a countywide Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP) to replace the existing outdated 2002 CFHMP, which will address flood hazard issues in the Touchet and Tucannon Rivers and Patit Creek.

 $468,750

City of Ellensburg Urban Flood Modeling and Analysis

The City of Ellensburg Public Works Department will complete an in-depth analysis of the Ellensburg Urban Growth Area (UGA) to update a Kittitas County - led floodplain map process focused on urban flooding from Whiskey and Mercer Creeks. The project will increase understanding of flooding in the city and identify effective mitigation actions to inform updates to the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan.

 $300,000

Snohomish County FCAAP Phase 2 - Understanding Flood Risks & Vulnerability

Snohomish County Conservation Natural Resources Department will complete a geomorphic risk assessment in the North Fork Stillaguamish River and implement the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Plan developed as part of FCAAP FY21-23 award to engage with underserved communities about impacts from flooding.

 $500,000

City of Chewelah Flood Modeling and WRIA 59 CFHMP Groundwork

Stevens County Land Services Department will complete 2-D floodplain modeling and analysis, preliminary planning, and stakeholder engagement and outreach with local stakeholders, tribal co-managers, and the City of Chewelah. The resulting planning and feasibility document will support a larger future Colville River Watershed CFHMP.

 $76,560

2023 Westport Stormwater Assessment & CFHMP

The City of Westport will develop a Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan (CFHMP). The CFHMP will identify flood-prone areas, develop strategies to improve stormwater conveyance infrastructure, and reduce flood risks and damage. 

 $195,000

  $1,540,310