North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity

Selinda Barkhuis, Coordinator

sbarkhuis@co.clallam.wa.us

www.NOPLEgroup.org

Clallam County Courthouse

223 E. Fourth Street, # 5

Port Angeles, WA 98362

Phone direct (360) 417-2430

Salmon Recovery Newsletter V2 E1, January 2005

Find electronic versions (with live links) of this and previous Newsletters at http://www.noplegroup.org

Events

· The SRFB next meeting is on Thursday, January 6, 2004. The agenda will be posted at http://www.iac.wa.gov/srfb/board/schedules.htm. This is also where you can find the entire 2005 SRFB meeting schedule.

· "Salmon Recovery Day" at the WA State Legislature will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2005 with a 2-hour hearing from 3:30 to 5:30 PM by the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Possible topics include - State of the Salmon Report, results of the SRFB 5th Round, Harvest/Hatchery reform, LCFRB Recovery Plan, and funding needs. 24^th District Representative Senator Jim Hargrove (http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/members/senmem24.htm) is on the Natural Resources Committee. Those attending from the 24^th District should feel free to connect with him that day (or any other day for that matter).

· A public meeting/hearing for Seattle is scheduled for January 18th, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, at the Radisson Hotel Seattle Airport, 17001 Pacific Highway South, Seattle re NOAA Fisheries’ proposed Critical Habitat designation. For Federal Register info, additional public hearing/meeting dates and comment opportunities, GIS data, and an interactive mapper, go to http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1salmon/salmesa/crithab/CHsite.htm

· The 2005 Shared Strategy Summit will take place in Tacoma WA on January 26th and 27th. The Summit is a key milestone for the Shared Strategy in that it begins to integrate the final stages of the planning phase with the beginning of the implementation phase. For more information, go to http://sharedsalmonstrategy.org/summit/index.htm.

Federal & WA State Salmon Recovery News

· For FY2005, the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund received $99 million in federal appropriations. The State of Washington is to receive $27 million of this amount for the following: “Of the funds provided for the State of Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board, $4,000,000 shall be allocated directly to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and other State and Federal Agencies for purposes of implementing the State of Washington's Forest and Fish Report. The funding shall be spent in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Forest and Fish Report and consistent with the requirements of the Endangered Species and Clean Water Acts. Further, $1,590,000 is for the purchase of mass marking trailers.” For more info, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&db_id=cp108&r_n=sr344.108&sel=TOC_566131&

· 2005 brings a new WA State governor and a new WA State budget. See outgoing governor Locke’s proposal for the 2005-2007 budget at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget05/highlights/default.htm

· Coming soon? Read all about “SWACs” in this “discussion paper” developed by the Governor's Office, with input from several state agencies, intended to explore alternatives for implementing salmon recovery and watershed plans. http://noplegroup.org/NOPLE/documents/nople/04NOVFutureSalmonWatersheds.doc

· SRFB 5^th Round Funding Decisions can be found at http://www.iac.wa.gov/srfb/grants/funding.htm.

Olympic Peninsula Salmon Recovery News

· The North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity received almost $1.5 million in SRFB funding, the fourth highest amount of 26 in the State. To see the projects this will fund, go to http://noplegroup.org/NOPLE/pages/nopleprojectsbyyear.htm

· Study finds nearly no drugs in Sequim Waters: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2004news/2004-219.html

· Clallam Bay Road Abandoned: http://www.nwifc.org/newsinfo/newsrelsdet.asp?ID=281

· Salt Creek Restoration Assessment released: http://www.nwifc.org/newsinfo/newsrelsdet.asp?ID=283 A 7 MB pdf version of the just-released Salt Creek Assessment is available at http://noplegroup.org/NOPLE/documents/watersheds/SaltCreekWatershedAssessment.pdf.

· Find the Shared Strategy feedback to the WRIA 18 chapter of the Shared Strategy Recovery Plan at http://www.sharedsalmonstrategy.org/watersheds/feedback-letters/Elwha.pdf. For more information, go to http://sharedsalmonstrategy.org/resources.htm#documents

· The first Elwha Nearshore Update newsletter, sponsored by Clallam MRC/WDFW/ Clallam County/Elwha Tribe/PSAT, can be found at http://www.nwstraits.org/clallam.html

· ONP Elwha Education e-Newsletter. Many people have been creating programs and materials to teach about the Elwha tremendous restoration project. University courses, teacher training, high school field studies, college internships, Elwha Dam tours as part of a community heritage celebration, fly-over simulations, grant writing, and brochures are all products of these efforts. In early 2005, Olympic National Park will start producing Elwha Education electronic newsletters as a way to share successes, exchange ideas and update information about the Elwha Restoration Project. This newsletter will be published 3 or 4 times a year. They are looking for short articles about Elwha Education efforts for the first edition of the newsletter. If you have something to share, please send them a 1-2 paragraph article (photograph are also appreciated) by January 13. If you would like to be included in the newsletter e-mailings please respond to mailto:Kathy_Steichen@nps.gov . It will be both sent electronically and posted on the Elwha project website, http://www.nps.gov/olym/elwha/home.htm.

· Olympic Peninsula Salmon Recovery Information. The website of the North Olympic Peninsula Lead Entity (NOPLE) contains links to local salmon stock info, local salmon habitat recovery resources, regional salmon recovery efforts, landowner habitat recovery resources, and an interactive map with local SRFB funded salmon habitat recovery projects. The website is rapidly growing towards its goal of becoming the North Olympic Peninsula clearinghouse for local salmon recovery resources. Find it at http://www.noplegroup.org

More News

· Environmental regulations streamlined on non-fish bearing streams. In a move that streamlines state environmental regulations and maintains protection for fish and fish habitat, timber harvesters working in or across non-fish bearing streams will no longer need to obtain a hydraulic permit from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/nov2304a.htm

· The Puget Sound Action Team Partnership approved the 2005-2007 Puget Sound Conservation and Recovery Plan (work plan) to send to the governor and the legislature on October 5, 2004. The work plan includes priorities, strategies, results and a proposed budget to achieve those results for the two-year budget period. To see the plan, go to http://www.psat.wa.gov/Publications/priorities_05/Priorities_05_review.htm

Education and Resources

· The Climate Impacts Group (CIG) at the University of Washington invites PNW resource managers and technical level staff from federal, state, tribal and local level resource management agencies, public/private utilities, and other interested parties to participate in a one day workshop on the impacts of climate variability and change on salmon management and recovery in Puget Sound, Georgia Basin, and coastal watersheds. The meeting will be held on February 2, 2005 in Seattle. For more info, http://www.cses.washington.edu/cig/outreach/workshopfiles/salmon05/index.shtml

· StreamNet recently developed a new web-based mapping application in cooperation with the Northwest Regional Office of NOAA Fisheries. The Critical Habitat Interactive Mapper at http://www.streamnet.org/ is a tool for identifying the areas that NOAA Fisheries is proposing to designate (or exclude) as Critical Habitat under the U.S. Endangered Species Act for 13 Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of Pacific salmon and steelhead (Oncorhyncus mykiss). For news and information regarding the proposed designations, upcoming public hearings, and the public comment process, visit the NOAA Fisheries Critical Habitat website at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1salmon/salmesa/crithab/CHsite.htm

· The WA Department of Ecology offers several good guides for coastal property owners: Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control Using Vegetation; Vegetation Management: A Guide for Puget Sound Property Owners; Surface Water and Groundwater on Coastal Bluffs. All these guides can be found at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelan.html#propown

· The Watershed News addresses macro watershed concerns that relate to multi jurisdictional issues such as watershed restoration and nonpoint source financing. It also addresses micro financing issues such as utility finance, rate setting and point source information. You can find it on-line at http://sspa.boisestate.edu/efc/News/NewsWinter2004.html and sign up there for the email version.

Grants

· Project Support. As a Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group, the North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC) provides financial support to a variety of restoration project partners and sponsors. If you would like to know more, apply for funding or know of an interested landowner, call them at (360) 379-8051. They provide technical support, landowner consultation and project funding on private and public lands. Find them on-line at http://www.nosc.org/

· Technical Assistance and Cost-Sharing. The Clallam Conservation District provides information and technical assistance to landowners for natural resource conservation free of charge, including development of plans to improve the productivity of land, manage woodland, enhance fish or wildlife habitat, protect water quality, or conserve irrigation water and other natural resources on your land.  The Clallam Conservation District (CCD) may also be able to share the cost associated with installing best management practices such as riparian fencing, stock watering tanks, composting facilities, roof runoff management systems, and other conservation practices.  Practices that are eligible for cost sharing generally address water quality concerns and/or the habitat of threatened or endangered species.   CCD will reimburse up to 75% of the cost of practice implementation, depending on the practice.  District cost sharing is dependent on the availability of grant funding.  Call CCD at (360) 452-1912 to find out more information about the cost sharing programs or see their website for this program or other assistance they can provide at http://clallam.scc.wa.gov/programs.htm. To get on their e-newsletter list and stay current on opportunities and services, email info@wa.nacdnet.org

· The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary program that offers agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers financial payments to restore riparian habitats on their land. Land eligible for enrollment in CREP must be alongside salmon habitat streams. Landowners receive annual rental payments on the land enrolled in CREP and contracts last from 10-15 years.  The rental payment is 200% of the standard rental rate for the type of soil found on the land. Enrolling in CREP is a great way to address rural environmental problems and can increase farm income too. Call the Clallam Conservation District at (360) 452-1912 to find out more information.

· Department of Ecology's "Husseman grant". Depending on availability of funds, up to $50K can be awarded for projects that meet the criteria which emphasize on-the-ground restoration or aquatic-related GIS.  There is enough money in the fund that Ecology is opening it up to applications again - somewhere between $60K and $70K available this time around. The deadline on proposals will likely be late January.  The application form can be accessed at http://noplegroup.org/NOPLE/documents/grantsinfo/SWRO_HusseAp.pdf . Ecology’s internal document regarding this grant is at http://noplegroup.org/NOPLE/documents/grantsinfo/SWRO_Husseman.pdf If anyone wants more details, please contact Cynthia Nelson at 360.407.0276 or mailto:cyne461@ECY.WA.GOV

· The FishAmerica Foundation and the NOAA Restoration Center announce the availability of up to $600,000 for hands-on, grassroots projects across the coastal United States to restore marine, estuarine and riparian habitats, including salt marshes, mangrove forests, and freshwater habitats important to anadromous fish species. The partnership will seek an increased number of projects from the Chesapeake Bay watershed and may provide limited funding for salmon and/or steelhead habitat restoration projects in the Great Lakes basin. Community-based nonprofit organizations, such as local sporting clubs and conservation associations, as well as state and local agencies are encouraged to submit proposals. Projects must result in on-the-ground habitat restoration, clearly demonstrate significant benefits to marine, estuarine or anadromous fisheries resources, particularly sportfish, and must involve community participation through an educational or volunteer component tied to the restoration activities. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate the participation of NOAA staff to strengthen the development and implementation of sound restoration projects. Deadline is February 25, 2005. For more info, go to http://www.fishamerica.org/faf/

· Five Star Restoration Matching Grants Program. The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Community-Based Restoration Program within NOAA Fisheries, and other sponsors (e.g., Office of Surface Mining), are pleased to solicit applications for the Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program. The Five-Star Restoration Program provides modest financial assistance on a competitive basis to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. In 2004, 50 projects received grants of on average $10,000 out of approximately 180 applications received. The Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program is open to any public or private entity. For more info, including application form, go to http://www.nfwf.org/programs/5star-rfp.htm. Applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2005. Projects will be evaluated to the extent by which the above guidelines are met. Applicants will be notified of their awards in mid-June.

· The Family Forest Fish Passage Program provides 75%-100% of the cost of replacing, repairing or removing fish barriers such as culverts, weirs, dams, spillways and other artificial instream structures. To qualify, you must be a small forest landowner (harvest less than 2 million board feet of timber per year) and have a fish barrier that is on forestland. Application Deadline: June 30, 2005 http://www.dnr.wa.gov/sflo/fffpp/

· The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program provides up to 75% cost-sharing for such wildlife habitat enhancement projects as: forage enhancement for threatened wildlife species, restablishment of threatened habitat types, wetland and riparian enhancement and others. Application Deadline: Open enrollment http://www.wa.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip/whip.html

· A good source of relevant grant opportunities will come to your email box via SFLO-mail, the bi-monthly e-mail newsletter produced by the Small Forest Landowner Office. This newsletter provides up-to-date information relevant to small forest landowners in Washington State. To subscribe, please send a message to mailto:sflo-mail@wadnr.gov with the word "subscribe" in the subject box and "your name" and "your e-mail address"
in the message box.

· For an extensive list of grant programs, go to http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/PI/Fundsrcs.htm#anchor149508

· For a searchable database of grant programs, check out http://ssrc.boisestate.edu/

· For a list of links to Olympic Peninsula landowner salmon habitat recovery resources, go to http://www.noplegroup.org/NOPLE/pages/landownerresources.htm