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! 

Local Events 

• 2023 Restoring Riverscapes: Workshop for Advancing Process-Based Actions (Remote) – Restoring Rivers is holding a multi-day conference from March 7-9 2023 with the goals of expand the scale and pace of riverscape restoration and floodplain reconnection, increase knowledge of the principles and benefits of process-based, riverscape restoration approach, examine institutional and social constraints to implementing these restoration approaches and explore how to encourage robust, region-wide implementation and innovations to expand the practice. To learn more and sign up for future conference updates please visit HERE.
  

• 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.
  

• CPTC Flett Property Habitat Stewardship – The Habitat Stewardship events on CPTC’s Flett Property will continue on a monthly basis in 2023 (please see attached flyer). The next day to volunteer will be on Saturday February 18th from 9-12, Clover Park Tech. College 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Lakewood, WA, 98499 (Meet near Hageness Dr. entrance). Come out and help restore Garry oak and wetland riparian habitat!
  

Funding Opportunities 

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program – This grant program funds projects within one or more of the NEP boundary areas and supports the following Congressionally-set priorities: (1) Loss of key habitats resulting in significant impacts on fisheries and water quality such as seagrass, mangroves, tidal and freshwater wetlands, forested wetlands, kelp beds, shellfish beds, and coral reefs; (2) Coastal resilience and extreme weather events including flooding and coastal erosion related to sea level rise, changing precipitation, warmer waters, or salt marsh, seagrass, or wetland degradation or loss and accelerated land loss; (3) Impacts of nutrients and warmer water temperatures on aquatic life and ecosystems, including low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters; (4) Stormwater runoff which not only can erode stream banks but can carry nutrients, sediment, and trash into rivers and streams that flow into estuaries; (5) Recurring harmful algae blooms; (6) Unusual or unexplained marine mammal mortalities; and (7) Proliferation or invasion of species that limit recreational uses, threaten wastewater systems, or cause other ecosystem damage. Letters of Intent are due by 5:00 pm PT on Friday, February 10th. To learn more and 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.
  

• North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grants – The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grant program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Projects must involve only long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetland and associated upland habitats to benefit migratory birds. The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match and research funding is ineligible. This program supports the Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission of protecting and managing the nation’s natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access. Grant Proposals Due February 24, 2023. For more information and how to apply, please click HERE.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

Job Announcements 

• 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. 

• Pierce County – Water Quality Monitoring Project Lead 

This is a project lead position supporting Pierce County’s monitoring program with the opportunity to design and implement strategies for water quality improvements. Pierce County is looking for an experienced project manager to use their leadership and technical skills to help expand our well-established descriptive monitoring program to include a diagnostic approach for improving stream water quality. You will have the opportunity to work with our water quality monitoring team as well as many others inside and outside the county. Applications are open until filled. For more information and how to apply please click HERE.