NOPLE Salmon Recovery Newsletters

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June 2005, Volume 3 Edition 6
NOPLE Salmon Recovery Newsletter

Salmon fun

SRFB News

  • SRFB Application workshop June 24! Friday, June 24, 2005 from 11 AM to 1 PM in the BOCC. Strongly encouraged especially for first time SRFB applicants. If you can't make it to this one, there are others just like it held across the state on other dates. Click here.
  • The SRFB recently completed a report of their work from 2002 through 2004. The report shows the types of projects and partnerships the Board has supported--almost 600 projects in more than 30 counties during the past four years. Restoring and improving fish habitat has been a major focus for local partners. In addition, the Board has aided an innovative small-scale grants program, encouraged regional recovery approaches, cooperated extensively with other agencies, and implemented state-of-the-art monitoring of these investments.
  • During their June 9 and 10 meeting, the SRFB decided against funding any of the remaining multiple lead entity proposals including the Elwha Nearshore project. They picked Process Option A from the various options presented to them in the Multi-Lead Assessement Projects Memo.
  • SRFB funding for 6th Round project proposals will most likely be somewhat less than 5th round, for a total of $20 to $25 Million that will be spread out among 26 lead entities. The SRFB will make a final decision in July after reviewing their available funds and their 2005-2007 budget. The SRFB will also decide in July how much money to pre-allocate to lead entities as well as the criteria (last year was 35%). See this memo from the SRFB Director for a description of Last year's allocation formula and Options for the 2005 Grant Round. The remainder of the funds (65-75%) will be allocated most likely according to the next bullet.
  • 6th Round Lead Entity Evaluation. The SRFB Review Panel is still working out the details on how lead entities will be evaluated this round, which evaluation will most likely directly translate into the amount of project funding each lead entity will receive. This issue is described in a draft Staff Recommendation to the SRFB re "Evaluating the Quality of Lead Entity Strategies thatr are Not Covered by Recovery Plans" and Appendix E to the SRFB Manual 18 entitled "SRFB 6th Round Review Panel Ratings and Narratives Template." Any comments to these must be received by the IAC by June 22, so please provide them to me before that date.
  • Within the next couple of weeks, I will be going to Olympia for a preliminary NOPLE Strategy review. NOPLE is in the awkward situation of falling squarely in the middle of two distinct evaluation processes. Lead entities that fall within a recovery region will only be evaluated on how well their project list fits their recovery chapter (questions 7 and 8 of Appendix E); lead entities that fall outside of recovery regions will also have their strategies reviewed (questions 1 through 6 of Appendix E), in addition to how well their project list fits their strategy. With NOPLE falling half within a recovery region (Shared Strategy) and half out, it is unclear how they NOPLE will fare in this evaluation process. This whole process is described in detail in the 6th Round SRFB Manual 18. I will keep you posted.
  • The next SRFB meeting is set for July 18 and 19 in Olympia. You can access the agenda (as well as minutes from previous meetings at this link. (as they become available)
  • To see the NOPLE 6th Round Calendar, check out the NOPLE 6th Round Calendar. I am currently in process of soliciting lists of voting CFGs members who will participate. They will be asked to comment on preproposals and will be invited to presentations and field trips within their WRIA, all according to the 6th Round Score and Rank Merge Process that the NOPLE LEG approved.

Federal & WA State Salmon Recovery News

  • Clallam County has signed a resolution regarding its "COMMITMENT TO ACTIONS TOWARD SALMONID RECOVERY" related to its " Response to the Shared Strategy Development Committee Questions: Question F: What commitments will be necessary for implementation…..?" and associated Table.
  • Expanding the criteria for habitat conservation programs. The farmland protection provision, passed by the WA State legislature last month as SB5396, adds a new category to the highly acclaimed Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP), the first major amendment to the program since its inception in 1990. The nationally recognized WWRP empowers local communities to acquire land for outdoor recreation opportunities and wildlife habitat protection through a competitive grant process. Under the provisions of the new bill, local governments can now apply for WWRP grants to protect working farms, lands that will stay in private hands and remain active agricultural enterprises. Depending on how much money the legislature directs to the WWRP, as much as 10 percent of the program’s funds could go towards farmland protection in the next legislative cycle, which begins in 2007. The legislature this year appropriated $50 million for the WWRP. A final provision in the bill adds another new category to the WWRP—protection of the state’s rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries and saltwater areas. A significant boost in funding for freshwater and marine areas will help counties with their local planning efforts, help communities maintain clean and healthy water and help protect a wide array of wildlife. The new legislation enhances a program that is already considered incredibly successful. Over the past 15 years, the legislature has appropriated more than $450 million for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, creating new neighborhood parks, ball fields, and trails and conserving thousands of acres of exceptional wildlife habitat. This year’s appropriation of $50 million will provide funding for approximately 70 projects in more than 25 counties across the state. The bill passed by wide margins in both chambers, after a coalition of conservationists, farm advocates, representatives of county governments, Realtors, and others came together in support of the legislation. The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, an independent organization established to secure funding for the WWRP, played a lead role in the effort.

Olympic Peninsula Salmon Recovery News

Opportunities to put in your two-cents worth

  • Public review under way for proposed wildlife conservation funding strategy. Citizens have until June 30 to comment on the draft strategy which is posted at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/cwcs. Written copies may be obtained by contacting Joe La Tourrette at (360) 902-2247. Comments on the draft CWCS should be sent by June 30 to Joe LaTourrette, CWCS Project Manager, WDFW, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091, or via e-mail to latoujel@dfw.wa.gov.

Volunteer

  • Hello Elwha Volunteers, Are you still looking for something fun to do this weekend? Come out the the Elwha, volunteer and learn something new about an amazing restoration project. On June 18th, the NCPA will be heading back into the Elwha Valley for our monthly exotic removal and Elwha Restoration education volunteer day. If you are interested in attending please email jwalter@npca.org. The schedule for those interested in attending will be: On Saturday we will be meeting at the Elwha entrance gate of Olympic National Park at approximately 9:45am to 10:00am. Dan Campbell, from the Park's Exotic Plant Management Team, will give us an overview of the specific species and threats to the Elwha Valley in terms of exotic species. We will have lunch and a presentation around 1:00pm and finish up the workday around 4:15 to 4:30pm. NPCA will be supplying volunteers with gloves, water and snacks donated by Cliff Bars, as well as fruit. Please bring your own lunch. More than anything, I want you all to have fun! Working with a certain amount of flexibility hopefully will ensure everyone staying positive and excited about helping the Park and the Elwha River. Again, if you are planning on attending or have any questions please e-mail me at jwalter@npca.org or call me at (206) 903-1444 x25, or my cell at (206) 498-8499. Thank you all for your help and I look forward to meeting you all at the Elwha.

Education and Resources

  • Via Streamkeepers: An article in the Peninsula Daily News mentioned that several places accept junk cars for recycling for virtually free. Here they are:
    • KB’s Auto Wrecking and Towing, 252 Mt. Pleasant Road, Port Angeles, charges nothing if the owner brings the car to the yard. It charges $5 apiece to dispose of tires.
    • Alpine Auto Inc., 4318 Dry Creek Road, Port Angeles, also charges $5 per tire, plus a $10 gas tank environmental fee.
    • Simpson’s Used Parts, 2421 W. U.S. Highway 101, Port Angeles, accepts free vehicles that are brought to it. Simpson’s charges $25 to dispose of tires if left on a car or truck.
  • FOCUS on Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (revised 2005) available for downloading.
  • If you haven't caught this series, take some time to catch up on it now. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/specials/licensetokill/

Grants

  • For quick access to many grant resources, bookmark Grant Resources.
  • Another good grant resource page is PSAT's Funding Programs.
  • Acres for America. The Acres for America program was established to provide funding for projects that conserve important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants through acquisition of interest in real property. The goal of the Acres for America program is to offset the footprint of Wal-Mart’s domestic facilities on at least an acre by acre basis through these acquisitions. Approximately $3.1 million will be available annually for 10 years for conservation investments. Annual pre-proposal deadlines are January 7, May 13, and September 17.
  • 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
  • 6th Round 2005 SRFB grants are for projects located within the NOPLE area (which extends from Sequim Bay west through Cape Flattery, and Cape Flattery south through the Hoh River), pre-proposals for the 2005 SRFB grant must be submitted by July 15, 2005 to the NOPLE Coordinator. Eligible applicants include municipal subdivisions, tribal governments, private landowners, and state agencies. A 15% percent match is required. Projects will be reviewed for technical merit and prioritized locally based on how well they link to the priorities listed in the NOPLE Salmon Habitat Recovery Strategy. The ultimate decision of which projects to fund will be made by the SRFB in December of 2005. For list of previously funded projects.
  • 2005 North Olympic Community Salmon Fund awards grants of up to $40,000 to community groups, nonprofits, tribes, and local governments to work with private landowners on habitat protection and restoration projects within the NOPLE area. This "small grant" funding is made possible by a partnering between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and is available only to certain lead entities. Grant proposals for the North Olympic Community Salmon Fund are due on October 11th, 2005. The North Olympic Community Salmon Fund will give preference to projects that address priorities listed in the NOPLE Salmon Habitat Recovery Strategy, and engage groups with histories of successfully implementing restoration projects and working with communities. A 50% match is required. For list of previously funded projects.
  • USFWS Fish Passage Program. Closing Date: Ongoing. Amount: Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,690,000. Expected Number of Awards: 30. Award Ceiling: $3,690,000. Award Floor: $1,000. Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted. The Fish Passage is a voluntary program that reconnects fish species to historic habitats. Project funding is for fish passage restoration by removing or bypassing barriers to fish movement. Primary project types include dam removal, culvert renovation, designing and installing fishways, installing fish screens and barrier inventories to identify additional fish passage mpediments. Proposals requesting between $1,000 and $50,000 are most attractive. There is no required match; however a 50 percent cost-share is highly encouraged. Project ranking criteria include: ecological benefits for federal trust species, minimum costs to the Service for operation and maintenance, permanence of fish passage benefits, current scientific knowledge and proven technology, evidence of the greatest number of partners, longest duration of agreements for operation and maintenance, maximum in matching fund contributions and address objectives outlined in approved management plans. Projects must comply with all applicable federal, state, tribal, and local regulations. For detailed information . Note. It indicates that projects must be done on USFS OR TRIBAL lands. See section 1.12 F of Fish Passage Program description
  • On behalf of the Estuary Habitat Restoration Council, the US Army Corps of Engineers is soliciting project proposals for estuary habitat restoration projects. Notice was published in the Federal Register Vol.70, No.109, June 8, 2005. The notice is attached in pdf format. Applications will be accepted until close of business on July 25, 2005. The application form is attached in Word format. The application form has been approved for use by OMB - No. 0710-0014. These documents are available at http://www.usace.army.mil/civilworks/cecwp/estuary_act/ . Prior to submitting an application, sponsors should read both documents carefully as they provide guidance as to what is required and what reviewers of the proposals will be looking for. We expect to have a list of projects recommended by the Council for funding in the fall. Sponsors of selected projects will be required to sign a cost-share agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers. The US Army Corps of Engineers will not be giving the sponsors money but will do some of the project work. These are not grants or cooperative agreements. Questions may be sent to estuary.restoration@usace.army.mil.
  • Patagonia Environmental Grants. Patagonia provides grants to organizations that identify and work on the root causes of environmental problems and that approach issues with a commitment to long-term change. The company looks for programs with a clear agenda for change and a strategic plan for achieving the organization's goals. To apply, organizations must demonstrate a strong base of citizen support. Projects funded also must be action-oriented, build public involvement and support, be strategic, focus on root causes, accomplish specific goals and objectives, takes place in communities in which Patagonia does business. Grant proposals are due on August 31st. For more information, visit: http://www.patagonia.com/enviro/grants_app.shtml
  • North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grants: Upcoming deadline is July 29, 2005. These grants are available to a wide range of public and private partners. NAWCA Small Grant applications are due by December 2, 2005.