PWR-LIO Meetings

  • Next Meeting – September 14th; 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. PST – (Zoom)

Watershed News/Events

  • Webinar: Evaluation of Cumulative Salmon Recovery Efforts in Whidbey Basin – The Cumulative Effects Research Team, a collaborative team from Skagit River System Cooperative, Western Washington University, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Tulalip Tribes of Washington, and the Puget Sound Partnership, will present a webinar on the progress of the cumulative effects evaluation of nearshore habitat recovery actions on juvenile salmonids in the Whidbey basin. This webinar will also provide an overview of study implementation to occur over the next two to three years. The webinar will be hosted prior to the release of the study development report (fact sheet), which will come out at the end of August 2022. The webinar will take place August 5, 2022 from 9:00-12:00 PM on Zoom – Please click this link to join the webinar (Webinar ID: 836 3490 3219 & Passcode: 495311)
  • Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail Chum Run Half Marathon­ – On August 6th, there will be a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon fundraiser for the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail (KCST) educational programs offered by South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and a portion of the entry fees goes to support Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail as well. To register and to learn more please click HERE.
  • PSAR Video Participation Request – The PSAR program (PSP) is developing a video to share the successes and potential of the program. They are looking for ideas, input, and people to include in the video. Current list of brainstormed topics include: Increased salmon returns (Chinook), Recreation improvements (focus on nature exploration & fishing); Farming and community flood protection/climate resilience; Tribal traditions (harvest and culture). To participate in this brainstorm and float suggested ideas or folks to interview, please reach out to Juliana Tadano (PSP – Ecosystem Recovery Coordinator) – tadano@psp.wa.gov.
  • Puyallup Watershed Symposium & Call for Abstracts – The Puyallup River Watershed Council is excited to announce that they will be hosting the annual Puyallup Watershed Symposium on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 1pm-5pm. The Puyallup Watershed Symposium is a free event where you can learn about or share information about research, environmental justice, and other work occurring in the Puyallup River watershed (WRIA 10).  This event will take place at the WSU Puyallup Allmendinger Center, and it will also be livestreamed on Zoom. They are also inviting those doing work in the Puyallup River watershed to submit an abstract for an oral presentation (15-20 min) or poster that targets one or more of the focus areas in the Puyallup-White River Ecosystem Recovery Plan (ERP): Equity and Human Wellbeing, Climate Change,  Salmon, Estuaries, Floodplains, Forests, and Farms & Agricultural Lands. Please submit your abstract online HERE by October 31, 2022.
  • Pacific Hake Study (Northwest Fisheries Science Center) – Pacific hake from the Salish Sea have experienced substantial changes in body size over the last several decades, despite fishery closures. Declines in fish body size have been reported in many populations and these changes likely have important ramifications for the sustainability of harvested species and ecosystem function. Pacific hake, Merluccius productus, have shown declines in size over the last several decades for populations located in Puget Sound (PS), Washington, USA, and Strait of Georgia (SoG), British Columbia, Canada. To learn more about this research, please click HERE to view the publication.
  • $95 Million in NOAA Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funding Recommendation – NOAA Fisheries is recommending more than $95 million in funding for 19 new and continuing programs and projects to support West Coast salmon and steelhead populations. They are recommending $61 million in annual appropriation funding and $34 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, awarded through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. Read more about the recipients, funding amount received, and recommended projects HERE.

 

Funding Opportunities

  • Killer Whale Research and Conservation Program 2022 RFP – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, BNSF Railway and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are pleased to announce up to $1,500,000 in funding this year for the continued support for the effective implementation of three key strategies to aid in the recovery of the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) Distinct Population Segment. Pre-Proposal Due Date is August 25, 2022 – to learn more and submit an RFP, please click HERE. 
  • S. Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Grant Program – DOT is now accepting applications for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot discretionary grant program. It is the first-ever Federal program to reconnect communities cut off from opportunities by transportation infrastructure, such as highways and rail lines, through solutions like high-quality public transportation, infrastructure removal, and community and main street revitalization. Eligible applicants include States, Local and Tribal governments, metropolitan planning organizations, nonprofit organizations, and transportation facility owners. The application submission deadline is October 13, 2022 – to learn more and apply, please click HERE.
  • Presentation: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Restoration Center about funding opportunities – During this week’s Salmon Recovery Council meeting Megan Callahan Grant (Northwest regional supervisor – NOAA Restoration Center) presented a session briefing to the recovery community on restoration funding opportunities emerging from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources. You can watch a recording of that presentation HERE.
  • NOAA: Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants – $12 million in funding is available to implement fish passage work and build tribal organizational capacity in FY2022 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). Up to $12 million in funding is available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to implement fish passage work and build tribal organizational capacity. In collaboration with NOAA, selected Indian tribes and tribal commission or consortia partners will use these funds to implement barrier removal efforts that benefit tribally-important migratory fish, and to build tribal organizational capacity to participate in developing current and future fish passage projects. Funding will support fisheries and protected resources, while also enhancing community resilience to climate hazards by removing or improving aging infrastructure. Proposals must be submitted by August 29, 2022 – to learn more and apply please, click HERE.
  • NOAA: Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities – $10 million in funding is available for habitat restoration and resilience awards for underserved communities though NOAA’s FY2022 Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities Notice of Funding Opportunity. Through this funding, NOAA will engage underserved communities in habitat restoration activities that promote resilient ecosystems and communities. It will provide capacity for these communities to more fully participate in developing future transformational habitat projects. Proposals must be submitted by September 30, 2022 – to learn more and apply, click HERE.
  • NOAA: Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants – Up to $85 million in funding is available for habitat restoration and coastal resilience through the NOAA FY2022 Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity. This funding will prioritize habitat restoration actions that rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries, contribute to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species, use natural infrastructure to reduce damage from flooding and storms, promote resilient ecosystems and communities, and yield socioeconomic benefits. Proposals must be submitted by September 6, 2022 – to learn more and apply, click HERE.
  • NOAA: Marine Debris Removal Grants – The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $56 million to fund projects that remove marine debris to benefit marine and Great Lakes habitats and communities. This competition focuses on two priorities: removing large marine debris and using proven interception technologies to capture marine debris. Proposals are due September 30, 2022 – to learn more and apply, click HERE.
  • Sea Grant (via NOAA): Marine Debris Removal and Prevention Grants – The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $50 million over five years to Sea Grant to support marine debris prevention and removal. The two funding opportunities represent funding for the first two fiscal years of this appropriation (FY 2022 and 2023). Sea Grant’s funding opportunities include:
    • Marine Debris Challenge Competition (click for details): Approximately $16,000,000 will be available to support innovative research to application projects that will address the prevention and removal of marine debris. Letters of Intent are due August 9, 2020.
    • Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions (click for details): Approximately $3,000,000 will be available to support the creation of coalitions and partnerships to address marine debris prevention and removal. Letters of Intent are due August 16, 2020.
  • NOAA: Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Competition – The Saltonstall-Kennedy Program administers a yearly grant competition which annually funds approximately 40 projects for $10 million that lead to the promotion, development and marketing of U.S. fisheries. NOAA Fisheries seeks applications that demonstrate direct benefits to the U.S. fishing and marine aquaculture industries and applications which involve:
    • Fishing or aquaculture community participation aimed at helping seafood communities to resolve issues that affect their ability to fish or farm
    • Making full use of those species that are currently under federal or state fishery management plans
    • Addressing the socioeconomic impacts of overfishing and overcapacity

Proposals must be submitted by October 31, 2022 – to learn more and apply, please click HERE.

 

Job Announcements 

  • WA Department of Ecology – Nonpoint (319) Program and TMDL Policy Lead

Ecology is looking for senior level staff person that is interested in water quality policy. Key aspect of the role will be to advise managers on policy issues related to the 319 Nonpoint Program and TMDL program. Develop and help staff carry out major policy initiatives to help implement Washington’s 319 Nonpoint and TMDL Programs, Update the state Nonpoint Plan every five years, and lead reporting to EPA on the states progress in implementing our nonpoint program and serve as the liaison with EPA staff to ensure Clean Water Act requirements are met. The position does not have an application deadline (continuous), if you would like more information or how to apply, please click HERE.

  • WA Department of Ecology – Forestry/Agriculture Management Best Practices Expert

Ecology looking for a senior level staff person who can work in both scientific and policy areas. Key aspect of the role includes serving as Ecology’s scientific/technical representative on the Comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Committee (CMER) which evaluates the effectiveness of the forest practices rules and proposes ways to ensure the rules are effective. Additionally, the role will participate in periodic evaluations of the forest practices program in association with partners, recommend program revisions, identify critical or emerging issues, as well as lead the development of the Voluntary Clean Water Guidance for Agriculture (BMP Guidance). The position does not have an application deadline (continuous), if you would like more information or how to apply, please click HERE.

  • University of Washington – Social Science Researcher

UW’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences is seeking a Non-Permanent Social Science Researcher in Governance and Social Change in Floodplain Management. This position will contribute social science research to a new, innovative initiative led by Floodplains by Design to assess the social, political, and institutional changes needed to collaboratively manage Washington’s river basins for multiple community benefits. The Social Science Researcher will conduct a literature review on adaptive governance; select and test indicators of social, political, and institutional change; organize workshops; and, in general, assist with understanding and encouraging paradigm change in floodplain management. They will work closely with Dr. Sara Breslow and report to Dr. Phil Levin. The deadline to apply is August 8th, to learn more or to apply, please click HERE.

  • Pierce County – Water Quality Planner (2 Positions!)

Pierce County Surface Water Management is hiring a Water Quality Planner 2 to help develop and implement water quality and stormwater management plans, and work with community members to understand water quality and habitat issues in streams, lakes, and marine areas in Pierce County. The role will also support salmon recovery, shellfish recovery, and watershed councils throughout Pierce County, be part of a technical review team, prepare written documents, summarize data from monitoring programs, track state processes, work on writing grants and reporting on grants. The position does not have an application deadline (continuous), if you would like more information or how to apply, please click HERE.

  • Washington Stormwater Center – Stormwater Permit Assistance Specialist municipal

The extension coordinator works with the Washington Stormwater Center’s (WSC) municipal technical assistance program. This position is intended to build the capacity of Permittees across the state and assist them with meeting their Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer (MS4) Permit requirements. The location of the position is working remotely in Eastern Washington with travel to eastern permittees. The deadline to apply is August 3rd, to learn more or to apply, please click HERE. 

  • Washington Stormwater Center – Stormwater Education and Outreach Specialist

The extension coordinator works with the Washington Stormwater Center’s (WSC) municipal technical assistance program. This position is intended to build the capacity of Permittees across the state and assist them with meeting their Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer (MS4) Permit E&O requirements. The extension coordinator is responsible for implementing the approved WSC Municipal Education and Outreach work plan. The deadline to apply is August 3rd, to learn more or to apply, please click HERE. 

  • Washington Stormwater Center – Industrial and Construction Stormwater Permit Specialist

The role duties include working with subcommittees, permittees and teams to execute the defined work plan; meeting project timelines and managing a budget, setting up and conduct meetings and events; and meeting with industry professionals, permit holders, regulatory agencies, municipalities, and contractors The deadline to apply is August 3rd, to learn more or to apply, please click HERE.