PWR LIO Meetings

  • Next Meeting – January 25th; 10:00-12:00 PM PST – (Zoom)
  • Past LIO Meeting Notes/Summary (November 16th)

ACTION REQUEST: SIL RFPs – We would like to know if you or your organization submitted a proposal to any of the recent Strategic Initiative Lead’s Requests for Funding opportunities or are planning to do so for any of the future opportunities coming later this winter/spring. The goal of this form is to identify how the LIO could help coordinate partners on future proposal, assist in writing letters of support, and understand what projects LIO members are pursuing in our watershed. Please fill out THIS BRIEF FORM where we are collecting responses from across the LIO (there is also a live spreadsheet where you will also be able to see how others have responded). Thank you in advance!

Watershed News

  • 2023 Legislative Session – The 105-day 2023 session kicked off on Monday January 9th. Click HERE to view/download a fact sheet that provides resources to help you engage in the legislative session. Additionally, PSP has developed a few tools and resources to help you stay informed about legislative activities that affect Puget Sound protection and recovery efforts.
    1. Puget Sound Legislative Priorities: On December 15, 2022, the Puget Sound Leadership Council adopted 2023 Puget Sound Legislative Priorities to guide the recovery community’s efforts during the upcoming legislative session.
    2. 2023 Puget Sound Budget. The Partnership will maintain a Puget Sound Budget Viewer on their website. The budget viewer contains information and proposed amounts for budget items that affect Puget Sound recovery.
    3. Puget Sound Legislative Calendar.The Partnership will host a Puget Sound Legislative Calendar on their website.
    4. Puget Sound Legislative Update Call. Partnership staff will lead a call-in meeting on Fridays, from noon to no later than 1:00 p.m. (note time change from prior years), to review the most important legislative issues we’re following and discuss partner perspectives. To sign up for future calls or subscribe to emailed legislative updates, please click here and follow the prompts.
  • Governor’s Budget for PSAR – The Governor’s budget released in mid-December proposes $50M to support 2023-2025 PSAR projects. Included in the budget is the full funding of the PSAR Base Request. For more information view the modified 2023-2025 PSAR fact sheet, that reflects the Governor’s proposed funding level.
  • Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan – The Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan (CAP) was adopted by Pierce County and shared with the leadership of all partner agencies and the public. Cassidy Giampetro, of Washington Trails Association (WTA), is coming on board as the Independent Coordinator who will help lead communications efforts in the future. Cassidy and the Coordinating Council will begin providing regular updates and engagement opportunities with stakeholders, residents and visitors in the Carbon River Corridor as we work together on the shared strategies and actions in 2023 and beyond.
  • Clear Creek Habitat Restoration and The Lower White River Restoration Award – Congrats to two Puyallup Watershed projects—Clear Creek Habitat Restoration and The Lower White River Restoration projects, which received the Excellent 10 award by the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County for their positive impact on the Pierce County economy in 2022. For more info please visit HERE.

Local Events

  • 2023 Salmon Recovery Conference – The 2023 Salmon Recovery Conference will be held April 18-19 at the Vancouver, WA Convention Center. This years theme is A Shared Future, which reflects the desire to hear broad community perspectives with regards to salmon recovery. View a complete list of registration types and prices on the Salmon Recovery Conference Web site. Registration is now open and RCO is looking for two additional fish passage presentations for the conference. If you know of any fish passage projects that you think would be worthy of highlighting during the fish passage session at the conference, please let Jeannie Abbot
  • Salish Sea Estuaries Avian Monitoring Framework and Webinar – A PSEMP Marine Birds Work Group supported project team has announced the release of a regional framework for avian monitoring in Salish Sea estuary wetlands. They have released a summary of the framework and invite interested parties to join an informal webinar and Q&A on Monday, February 13 from 12-1 pm Pacific, zoom link HERE.

Funding Opportunities

  • Climate Resilient Riparian Systems Lead – This request for funding announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible applicants that are interested in acting as the Puget Sound Climate Resilient Riparian Systems Lead. This funding opportunity is focused on working with local programs and landowners to voluntarily protect and restore Puget Sound riparian habitat in priority watersheds, supporting salmon recovery and resilience to climate change. Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than Monday, March 31, 2023, at 11:59pm (Eastern) in order to be considered for funding. For more information and how to apply, please click HERE.
  • Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership – PMEP is seeking project proposals that restore, enhance, or protect habitats for PMEP focal species within nearshore marine and estuarine systems (with an emphasis on habitat connectivity) or proposals that increase our understanding of fish habitats in estuarine and nearshore marine waters. PMEP funding can be used for all phases of a project, from feasibility to post-construction monitoring. However, projects that involve on-the-ground implementation will be more competitive. Grant Proposals Due February 17, 2023. For more information and how to apply, please click HERE.
  • RFI for Salmon Science Investigation – The Partnership is pleased to announce a Request for Information for collaborative proposals to conduct salmon scientific investigations. Investigations could include but are not limited to modeling, research, and syntheses to address emerging issues of concern, factors limiting recovery, and other critical science and monitoring questions to advance Puget Sound salmon recovery. Outcomes of the proposed investigations should support ongoing recovery planning and adaptive management efforts to ensure self-sustaining, harvestable, salmon runs that sustain people and orcas in Puget Sound. Approximately $2,000,000 will be allocated towards projects, up to $400,000 each. Projects are anticipated to begin in July 2023 and continue through June 30, 2025. Responses are due by 12:00 pm on March 13, 2023. There is an info session for the RFI on Tuesday, January 31 from 10-11am, to register click HERE. For more information on the RFI click HERE.
  • Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program 2023 – The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. This program will award approximately $1.6 million in grants nationwide. Proposals are due January 31, 2023. For more info and how to apply please visit HERE.
  • King County Parks Open Space River Corridors Grants – King County Parks will be releasing upcoming Parks Levy grant opportunities that could be used for WRIA 10 project in King County along the White Rivers. The Open Space River Corridors Grant Program supports projects that help restore the natural functions of rivers, create or restore public access, and/or increase public awareness of river corridors as valuable natural resources. This grant program incentivizes multi-benefit projects that integrate recreation and habitat restoration with larger floodplain management efforts. Approximately $9.9 million is available in 2023 for projects within King County, with maximum awards of up to $1 million per project. Grant awards can be used for all stages of project implementation: acquisition, feasibility, design, construction, and project specific outreach. Applications will be released on January 17th and due March 15th, 2023 at 5pm. For more information and dates for grant webinars, please click HERE.
  • U.S. Department of Transportation: 2022 National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has opened applications for the FY2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage Program). This annual competitive grant program awards grants to eligible entities for projects that replace, remove, and repair culverts or weirs to meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Anadromous fish species are born in freshwater such as streams and rivers, spend most of their lives in the marine environment, and migrate back to freshwater to spawn. Estimated total program funding is $196 million, with an award ceiling of $20 million. Deadline to apply is February 6, 2023. For more info on the grant opportunity click HERE and how to apply please visit HERE.

Job Announcements

  • Pierce Conservation District – Senior Director of Finance & Administration

This is an administrative position of the Pierce Conservation District. The employee occupying this position reports to the Executive Director and will work closely with the Board of Supervisors, all Program Directors and staff of the organization to support them in the delivery of PCD’s mission. Applications are open until filled. For more information and how to apply please click HERE.

  • Puget Sound Partnership – Ecosystem Recovery Coordinator

This role will work closely with the region’s Local Integrating Organizations and salmon recovery Lead Entities to align actions, remove barriers, and direct resources to advance the most important actions embedded in recovery plans. Ecosystem Recovery Coordinators empower partners and decision-makers to implement salmon and ecosystem recovery by providing resources, offering technical assistance, and helping craft local and regional solutions to overcome barriers. Applications close January 18th, for more information and how to apply click HERE.

  • Pierce County – Floodplain Services Planner/ Project Manager

Pierce County is looking for an experienced planner and project manager to lead a variety of projects, plans and studies in floodplain/surface water management. This role will facilitate high-level outreach and collaboration with tribal, federal, state, and local representatives, elected officials, special interest groups, regulatory agencies, and the public. Other duties include managing programmatic planning initiatives and projects involving water/critical area resource protection and permitting efforts, salmon recovery, channel migration studies, feasibility studies, and flood emergencies. Applications are open until filled. For more information and how to apply please click HERE.