PWR LIO Meetings

  • Next Meeting – October 25; 10:00-12:00 PM PST – (Zoom)
  • Past LIO Meeting Notes/Summary (July 26, 2023)

 

Events & Engagement Opportunities

  • NEW! PRWC Salmon Homecoming Celebration – The Puyallup River Watershed Council is pleased to host the Salmon Homecoming Celebration this Saturday, 10/7 from 11a.m. to 3p.m.  at 1416 – 14th Street SW, Puyallup, WA.  You are invited to join the many fun events planned including activities for kids, food, music and guided tours of Clarks Creek.

 

  • NEW! Green Tacoma Day – Green Tacoma Day is an annual day of service that offers great opportunities for the Tacoma community to get to know each other and our local green spaces. This year’s celebration will be on Saturday, 10/14. Participants are encouraged to take individual actions and participate in volunteer activities to help protect and restore natural spaces in their neighborhoods. Click HERE to learn more and to register at one of their volunteer sites!

 

  • 2023 Puget Sound Day on the Sound – Mark your calendars: We are delighted to announce that this year’s Puget Sound Day on the Sound event will take place Tuesday, 10/10, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rhodes Center (950 Broadway) in Tacoma. Join us for a series of panel discussions with members of Congress, Tribal leaders, and state and federal agency leaders on topics related to Puget Sound and salmon recovery, Tribal treaty rights, and relevant happenings in “the other Washington.” Please register for this in-person event here.

 

  • Orca Recovery Day 2023 – This annual event started in 2018 as a regional initiative to raise awareness about the challenges the Southern Resident Killer Whale pod face. From pollution to habitat loss, their main food supply (Chinook salmon) is endangered. Fortunately, there are things we can do on land to help the Southern Residents flourish. Please visit the official Orca Recovery Day page to learn more. Please fill out this form to let us know if your organization is planning on hosting an event this fall. The official date is 10/14, but we’ll promote events throughout the month of October that support the Southern Residents!

 

  • NEW! Improving Stormwater Management & Planning: Compliance, Incentives, & Technical Assistance Workshops – The Puget Sound Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead (SW SIL), in coordination with both the Habitat and Shellfish SILs, is seeking local input to develop funding opportunities and policy actions that will ultimately protect Puget Sound water quality in the short and long term through:
      1. Improved compliance through stormwater incentive and technical assistance programs; and
      2. Improved integration of stormwater and land use planning

You are invited to participate in upcoming engagements for Compliance, Incentives, and Technical Assistance. There are three opportunities to engage on the current and short-term improvements to stormwater management and incentive/technical assistance programs. These workshops and online engagements are designed for stormwater practitioners, local planners, permit, and education staff, and industry professionals who interact with the stormwater permit process. Two workshops will be held in early November and be working meetings to discuss and identify solutions to common barriers to stormwater compliance. An online/non-workshop opportunity is also available to share solutions for developer resources and challenges.

  • Workshop 1: Local Government Capacity and Information Gaps Workshop

Date/Time: November 1, 1-4pm

  • Workshop 2: Pathways to Compliance Workshop

Date/Time: November 6, 9am-12pm

  • Online/No Workshop: Developer Resources and Challenges; This engagement will be primarily online to be completed when your schedule allows in late October through early November.

Please complete this form (HERE) by Friday, 10/27 to register for the Compliance, Incentives, and Technical Assistance engagements.

 

  • NEW! UW Survey On Access and Use of Scientific Information – Heads up! In the coming weeks the UW professors Craig Thomas and Tom Koontz will be surveying members of ecosystem recovery partnerships to learn about how they access and use scientific and other kinds of information. Keep an eye out for this survey in a future LIO update!

 

  • 2023 Annual Carbon Conference – Washington Conservation Action (formerly Washington Environmental Council & Washington Conservation Voters) is excited to host our Seventh Annual Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference! This year, the conference will be held as 3-half-day virtual events on 3 Wednesdays in November commencing with an in-person evening happy hour every Wednesday Nov 1, 8, and 15. The conference welcomes practitioners, policymakers, state and local government, tribal government staff, landowners, civil society, companies in the wood supply chain, academics, and community members whose work connects to forest management or carbon sequestration. Register now for the seventh annual virtual Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference.

 

  • NW Community Forest Coalition Fall Meeting – On November 7 & 8, the NWCFC will come together in Estacada, OR to hold our Fall Quarterly Meeting. This event will visit the Eagle Creek Community Forest on Tuesday, 11/ 7, followed by an in-person meeting on Wednesday, 11/8.  While a full agenda for the meeting is still being assembled, this meeting will focus on how forested properties can be managed provide high quality water, maintain healthy riparian and aquatic fish habitat for priority species, and promote wildlife habitat as a whole. More details on the Fall Quarterly meeting HERE.

 

  • Legislative Prioritization – As part of the Partnership’s process for developing the 2024 legislative session priorities, a survey was sent out to all four boards: Leadership Council, Ecosystem Coordination Board, Science Panel, and Salmon Recovery Council. PSP wanted to provide advance notice to you all that this survey is live so that you can connect and coordinate with your members/alternates who will receive the survey and support them in filling it out as needed. LIO and LE members are also able to submit their feedback, please feel free to distribute to your networks as applicable. Survey deadline is 11/16! Please click HERE to access the survey!

 

  • NEW! 2023 Puyallup Watershed Symposium – Save the Date: The 2023 Puyallup Watershed Symposium is coming on Thursday, 12/7 from 1 – 6 p.m. For more information contact emcdonal@uw.edu

 

  • Science Career Expo 2024  – The Seaport has decided to host the Science Career Expo on Saturday February 10th, 2024 from 11am-3pm. Due to feedback that we received following the previous expo we changed the date to be in the winter as this seems to align better with organizations looking for spring/summer interns. A few other changes; the Seaport will be providing 2 chairs per organization and we have a small supply of 6ft tables you may borrow on a first come first serve basis. The audience will remain the same; we are going to continue reaching out to high schools, colleges and the general community about the opportunities this event will offer. The 1st Science Career Expo brought in over 150 people from all over the area interested in working for or learning more about your organization. We expect next year’s event to be even bigger and better! If you are interested in registering for next years event please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/YDvicJNYZmZN6SQK7

 

  • NEW! Effective Estuary Restoration Along the U.S. West Coast – This one day virtual symposium on 3/12/2024 will bring together experts in the field of estuary restoration along the U.S. West Coast to explore effective estuary restoration topics. This is the first of three annual symposiums that will explore a wide range of pressing topics in estuary restoration including:
    • Design considerations and restoration methods
    • Climate change and estuary restoration
    • Monitoring estuary restoration
    • Documenting estuary restoration

The symposiums are designed to support estuary restoration practitioners and will include opportunities to share techniques, ask questions, and build a community of practice. This will be a no-cost symposium but spaces will be limited. Registration information will be published soon. Please mark your calendars for this symposium.

News

  • NEW! Rising Paralytic Shellfish Poison Levels Prompt Beach Closures in Pierce County – As of September 21, 2023, the Washington State Department of Health issued the first beach closure in Pierce County due to high levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). PSP, a toxin produced by certain algae, can be harmful when consumed. Beach closures due to this toxin have been reported throughout the Puget Sound since mid-August, and this year’s occurrence has been particularly severe. Communities for a Healthy Bay (CHB) has been diligently tracking the spread of PSP and urges the public to understand the associated risks and reasons behind these closures. For more info click HERE.

 

  • NEW! New Marine Vegetation Implementation Strategy Lead – The Habitat SIL is pleased to announce that Bree Turner has officially joined the Habitat Strategic Initiative as their new Marine Vegetation Implementation Strategy Lead. In this position, Bree will advance the Marine Vegetation Implementation Strategy through direct coordination and support with our kelp and eelgrass partners as well as our Puget Sound recovery community. Bree has spent the last thirteen years serving as a Senior Coastal Management Specialist with NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management. In this position, she provided technical assistance, policy guidance and federal grant oversight to the National Estuarine Research Reserves and their partners in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. Prior to this, Bree spent six years as a Program Coordinator with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, where she coordinated community science and coastal education programs with local schools, agencies, and Tribes.

 

  • NEW! National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Award – The Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has approved $764,697.11 to the City of Tacoma for the Commencement Bay Resilience and Restoration Master Plan project, pending successful completion of their programmatic and fiscal review process. Hurray!

 

  • Sound Choices Checklist for Comprehensive Plans  – The Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead (HSIL) is excited to share the updated Sound Choices Checklist! The HSIL partnered with Department of Commerce, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Puget Sound Partnership, and the Stormwater Strategic Initiative to update the checklist for the current cycle of comprehensive plan updates. The Sound Choices Checklist is a tool that aligns the Puget Sound recovery strategies and actions with the comprehensive plan elements. Puget Sound jurisdictions and Puget Sound recovery partners can use the checklist to consider if and how local comprehensive plans are setting the stage for Puget Sound recovery. This checklist also highlights best practices to support local planners in their comprehensive plan updates.

 

Funding Opportunities

  • PSP’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Tracker – This tool tracks funding in the BIL related to Puget Sound recovery priorities, to view the BIL funding tracker please click HERE (updated regularly). PSP also produced an End-of-Session Review for the 117th Congress, to read up on it click HERE.

 

  • Federal Funding for Nature Based Solutions – The National Wildlife Federation has developed a new searchable database of federal funding sources for nature-based infrastructure solutions. To view the list and see if your project would qualify for over 88 programs please visit HERE.

 

  • Oil Spill Equipment Grants – Department of Ecology grants can be used for oil spill cleanup tools and training. Oil spill equipment grants are open to Washington counties, cities and municipalities, ports, public utility districts, special purpose districts like clean air agencies and fire protection groups, federally recognized Tribal governments, and Washington state agencies. Recipients of previous grant cycles are eligible to apply again. Ecology is  accepting applications now through 5 p.m. Tuesday, 11/14 For details on the funding guidelines and how to apply, please click HERE.

 

  • 2024 Community Forestry Assistance Grant Cycle – The DNR Urban & Community Forestry Program will be offering at least six million dollars in available grant funding in the upcoming 2024 Community Forestry Assistance grant cycle. We are offering a series of webinars on the 2024 grant opportunity to help educate eligible applicants on our grant program and help them prepare to apply. Each hour long webinar will include helpful information about the grant and our intentions for the 2024 grant cycle. Learn more and register HERE.
    • Urban Forestry Grant Webinar #1 – An overview of DNR Urban Forestry Grants—structure, format, processes, and timelines.

Held on September 7, 2023 – Webinar #1 Recording
Please use the following passcode, if prompted, to access the recording: $6K#K7id

    • Urban Forestry Grant Webinar #2 – Your proposal through the eyes of a grant reviewer—best practices, tips on how to apply, and pitfalls to avoid

Held on September 28, 2023 – Webinar #2 Recording

Please use the following passcode, if prompted, to access the recording: B92Z5T?g

    • Urban Forestry Grant Webinar #3 – Intent and expectations for 2024 grant cycle

Time: October 19, 2023 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Webinar # 3 Registration Page (October 19)

 

  • Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal – Starting 10/2, the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board will accept proposals for projects to remove barriers that prevent salmon and steelhead from swimming upstream. The board will host an online workshop from 10 a.m. to noon 10/5, to provide an overview of the grant program and review the application process. The board will accept applications through 1/18/24. For more information about the grant application process and requirements, click HERE.

 

  • Stormwater and Shellfish Chapters of 2023 Investment Plan – The Puget Sound Strategic Initiative Leads (SILs) are pleased to announce the Stormwater and Shellfish chapters of the joint Strategic Initiatives’ 2023 Investment Plan. The Plan details the investment priorities that the Strategic Initiative Advisory Teams have been working on for the past few months. The Investment Priorities will be the focus of competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for the next year to award EPA Puget Sound Geographic Program Funds for investments across Puget Sound.
    • Stormwater SIL RFPs supporting Investment Priorities for reducing Toxics in Fish and Freshwater Quality – Opportunities opening between August and December, 2023. Sign up here to learn more about these upcoming engagement opportunities.
    • The Shellfish SIL will award up to $4,500,000 for proposals ranging from $200,000 to $1,000,000, lasting 2 to 3.5 years. This RFP focuses on four investment priorities addressing impacts to shellfish bed classification in Puget Sound. The Shellfish SIL will consider proposals from around Puget Sound and the four investment priorities being solicited for without a predetermined amount that will go to each priority. Click HERE to learn more and apply. More info below:
    • The Shellfish chapter of the Investment Plan includes $4.5 million in total allocation for the four 2023 Shellfish Investment Priorities. Priorities include:
  1. Onsite Sewage System (OSS) Management.
  2. Livestock manure management.
  3. Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC).
  4. Enabling municipalities and privately owned wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to prepare for modifications that will lead to shellfish classification upgrades around outfalls.

RFP Solicitation will be open for 8 weeks, applications are due October 20, 2023, by 11:59pm.

 

  • Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities – $45 million in funding is available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act for projects that will advance the coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities. Through this funding, NOAA will help support community-driven habitat restoration and build the capacity of tribes and underserved communities to more fully participate in restoration activities. For more info and how to apply click HERE. Three webinars will also be held:

 

  • Lead Service Line Loan – The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Construction Loan and Lead Service Line (LSL) Loan application cycles and opens October 2, 2023 with applications due by 11:59 p.m. PST on November 30, 2023. There is one application for typical construction and emerging contaminant projects. There is a separate application for any LSL inventory or replacement projects. DWSRF adopted an emergency rule (below) for the definition of a disadvantaged community that applies to these funding cycles to determine eligibility for subsidy after loan eligibility is confirmed. They scheduled two separate webinars and a question-and-answer session to explain the available funding. Links to the Microsoft Teams meeting for each session are on our DWSRF webpage (HERE), under the “Construction Loan: October-November” dropdown.

 

  • Fish Passage Funding – The NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation is announcing that two fish passage restoration funding opportunities are open under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, with one dedicated for tribal applicants. Tribes around the country, including the Great Lakes, are eligible to apply to both funding opportunities.
    • Nearly $85 million in funding is available for fish passage and tribal capacity building under the Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal funding opportunity. This fish passage funding will facilitate tribes and tribal supporting organizations in building capacity and implementing projects that reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for tribally-important species. NOAA will accept proposals between $300,000 and $12 million total over the award period. For more information, view the Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal funding opportunity. Applications are due by November 8, 2023.
    • They are also announcing the availability of nearly $175 million to restore fish passage through the removal of dams and other in-stream barriers through the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal funding opportunity. This funding will support projects that reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for fish. In collaboration with NOAA, selected partners will use these funds to implement locally-led removals of dams and other in-stream barriers to rebuild sustainable fisheries, contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species, and enhance watershed health. NOAA will accept proposals between $1 million and $20 million over the award period. Applications are due by October 16, 2023.

 

  • Transformational Habitat Restoration Funding Opportunity – NOAA is seeking proposals for transformational projects that will restore coastal habitat and strengthen community resilience under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Through this competition, NOAA will prioritize projects that demonstrate a broad base of stakeholder and community support. Projects that were developed with inclusive practices and incorporate meaningful strategies to engage a diverse range of community groups, including tribes and underserved communities, will be prioritized. NOAA will accept proposals between $1 million and $25 million total over the award period. Applications are due by November 17, 2023. For more information, click HERE to view the Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants funding opportunity.

 

Job Announcements

  • NEW! Administrative Services Support Specialist – Puget Sound Partnership

As the Administrative Services Support Specialist, you will assist with the implementation of the Partnership’s mission by providing high level administrative services support for Internal Operations. In collaboration with the Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer, and AWPGM, you will facilitate the Partnership’s work planning and business planning activities related to achieving the Partnership’s strategic plan and identify and plan existing funding for salmon and ecosystem recovery work (including legislative budget decision package submittals and Environmental Protection Agency awards). You will serve as the agency’s Public Disclosure and Record Retention Officer, supporting transparency in government by assuring the agency effectively responds to public record requests. Additionally, you will support the Chief Operating Officer with research for policy development and assist in compiling data for Environmental Protection Agency grant reporting requirements. Applications are due 10/11. To apply and learn more click HERE.

 

  • NEW! Grant Writer and Strategist – Puget Sound Partnership

The Grant Writer and Strategist is part of the Partnership’s new Strategic Funding Team and will provide the state, tribes, and local partners with technical assistance and capacity to prepare grant applications for submission. This position will identify funding opportunities, develop high-quality grant proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies, and monitor grant progression with the goal of increasing the number of successful submissions for local and regional recovery projects. Applications are due 10/11. To apply and learn more click HERE.

 

  • NEW! Riparian Coordinator – Recreation and Conservation Office

This position is responsible to lead efforts in coordinating state agencies for the protection, restoration, and management of riparian ecosystems. This urgent work is critical for supporting salmon recovery and addressing climate change impacts. This role involves establishing an interagency committee, coordinating strategies, data systems, and activities to achieve fully functioning riparian habitats. Their ideal candidate will be passionate to join us in making a significant impact on environmental conservation and climate resiliency.. Applications are due 10/18. To apply and learn more click HERE.

 

  • Forest Program Director – Sustainable Northwest

Sustainable Northwest is hiring a Forest Program Director and accepting applications on a rolling basis. This position has the primary responsibility of advancing SNW’s vision for forest health, resilience and rural economic development across the Pacific Northwest. The Director leads the Forest Program staff to develop and implement strategies to promote this vision through partnerships, technical assistance, applied management, and collaborative approaches. To apply and learn more click HERE.

 

  • Watersheds Project Manager – Bonneville Environmental Foundation

This position will support our efforts to create a new Carbon Credit Regional Operator program to support long-term stewardship of restoration sites, work with us on an exciting new EPA funded Climate Resilient Riparian Systems Lead program, and also be part of our Floodplains by Design team. Currently no due date, but click HERE for more info.