Puget Sound riparian grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided us funding to develop a grant program designed to restore and improve riparian lands in and along Puget Sound streams and rivers. The program is a partnership involving Ecology, EPA, Washington State Conservation Commission, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Puget Sound Institute. It is designed to promote innovative and sustainable approaches for riparian management. Grant funding will be used for activities and programs that increase the amount of riparian acreage protected, restored, or maintained in the 12-county Puget Sound region.
Overview
Our riparian systems grant program focuses on protecting and restoring riparian areas in Puget Sound that have been damaged or are struggling to support healthy plants, animals, and waters. We are working with communities and landowners to improve riparian functions at a stream reach or watershed scale. Grants will be awarded to partner organizations throughout the eligible watersheds shown below, and will expire in 2029.
A map of Puget Sound depicting the watersheds, or river basins, eligible for riparian grant funding.
Projects funded by the Puget Sound riparian systems grant program will focus on:
- A collaborative, reach-scale approach
- Restoring riparian systems
- Building local capacity to complete the work
- Riparian restoration research
- Incentives for voluntary restoration involving private landowners
- Protecting riparian systems
- Maintaining existing projects
Projects may include trying a new landowner incentive program, researching the effectiveness of restoration activities, and creative ideas for collaborating with multiple partners.
About our partners
To restore riparian systems throughout Puget Sound, we are working in partnership with the Washington State Conservation Commission, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and Puget Sound Institute. We are also collaborating with private and public landowners, and coordinating with local and Tribal governments, and other state and federal agencies. Working together, we are striving to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the region's waterways.
Investing in local knowledge
To develop our grant program, we consulted with Tribes, salmon recovery groups and watershed forums. We based our investment plan and funding priorities on their feedback as well as traditional knowledge about improving the resiliency of riparian systems. Follow the link below to read the report..
Summary Report of Input from Puget Sound riparian professionals
How to apply
Please review our Puget Sound riparian systems grants page for more application information.
- Applicants should review all solicitation documents posted on the webpage, including funding guidelines and evaluation criteria. This will afford applications the best opportunity for success.
- Technical assistance via office hours, webinars and video recordings is available to applicants to support the development of their project proposals.
- Potential applicants are encouraged to contact us with questions.
Contact information
Colin Hume
Puget Sound Recovery Lead
Colin.Hume@ecy.wa.gov
425-395-5283