NOPLE Salmon Recovery Newsletters

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July 2005, Volume 3 Edition 7
NOPLE Salmon Recovery Newsletter

Darwin awards

  • Darwin Awards ......2005. Yes, it's that magical time of the year againw hen the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us. Here then, are the glorious winners ... so far: Click here.

SRFB News

  • Coming up: Friday July 15 is the deadline for submitting 6th Round preproposals. Due are the appropriate SRFB application and NOPLE Addendum. For more info, check out the NOPLEgroup website.
  • Next SRFB meeting is on Monday, July 18. Here's the agenda.

Federal & WA State Salmon Recovery News

  • Shared Strategy Salmon Recovery Plans are online at the Shared Strategy website.
  • NOAA Fisheries Service accepts Puget Sound draft salmon recovery plan from Shared Strategy
    & announces intent to produce draft northwest salmon recovery plans by December 2005. Click here to read all about it.
  • Current rulemaking status of WDOE instream flows:

Olympic Peninsula Watershed & Salmon Recovery News

  • The Sol Duc River gage is now online. It is currently reporting stage in raw feet until the rating curve has been developed. Access it at the DOE River and Stream Flow Monitoring webpage.
  • Sadie/Susie project implementation temporarily to close Sadie Creek ORV Trail.
  • State expands funding for family forests fish passage projects. Deadline is June 30th. Think ahead!!!
  • WDOT Fish Habitat Retrofit Program has done and is doing some work on the Olympic Peninsula. Read all about it at this link-- scroll down for list of projects with links to details (i.e. Hoh River, Nolan Creek, Hoko-Pysht).
  • WDFW reports: Partners in new Discovery Bay wildlife area want to raze house, but spare farm buildings. Click here.
  • Surf before you swim - check this DOE webpage for safe beaches before you go swimming, diving, surfing, snorkling etc. Several beaches in Clallam county are being monitoring.
  • DOE reports that Water quality assessment identifies Washington's polluted waterways. Find out all about the 303(d) listings together with interactive map at this link.
  • Before you leave home, check out the WDOT Olympic Region webpage, which provides info on Hood Canal Bridge closure, other transportation projects to be aware of, and links to webcams.
  • The latest Shellfish Beach Closures.

Opportunities to put in your two-cents worth

  • WDFW is seeking comments on plans to list 3 species for protection, delist Aleutian Canada goose, click here.

Volunteer

  • Hello Elwha Volunteers, are you still looking for something fun to do this weekend? Come out to the Elwha, volunteer and learn something new about an amazing restoration project. On July 16th we will be heading back into the Elwha Valley for our monthly exotic removal and Elwha Restoration education volunteer day and we want you there! On Saturday the 16th we will be meeting at the Elwha entrance gate of Olympic National Park at approximately 9:45am to 10:00am. For those of us coming from Seattle, we will meet at the Edmonds ferry landing at 7:30am to catch the 7:55am ferry to Kingston. For those of us coming from the Port Angeles area, we will be meeting at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center at 9:30am to carpool to the Elwha entrance gate. 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 an educational presentation around 1:00pm and finish up the workday around 4:00 to 4:15pm. NPCA will be supplying volunteers with gloves, water and snacks donated by Cliff Bars, as well as fruit. Please bring your own lunch. 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. Cheers, Josh Walter NW Region-NPCA 313-A 1st Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 206-903-1444 x25
    206-498-8499 cell jwalter@npca.org

Education and Resources

  • Just a quick reminder that tomorrow, Sat., 6/9, we begin our summer river talk series here at RR Bridge Park with the Mastodons of Sequim, presented by Clare Hatler at 10 a.m. in the park amphitheater. Here is a list of upcoming summer river talks and other classes at the Center this summer. Please join us!
  • Climate and Fisheries: Impacts, Uncertainty, and Responses of Ecosystems and Communities
    Victoria Conference Centre, October 26-28, 05, Victoria, BC CALL FOR PAPERS, WORKSHOPS AND SESSIONS. see www.fishclimate.ca for details.
  • For some dire climate and fisheries news, check out Trying to solve the mystery of the 200,000 missing salmon in the Seattle Times.
  • DNR has issued a concise but fairly comprehensive overview regarding ownership of aquatic lands. This brief document covers both marine and fresh waters. While there are many ill-defined aquatic land ownership issues (as the brochure says "the answer is: It depends"), it is helpful to understand the basic principles.
  • Latest WFDW Fish and Wildlife Planner Newsletter is available at this link, as well as previous newsletters.

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.
  • 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 to be done on USFS OR TRIBAL lands will be considered priorities. 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.
  • Fisheries & Habitat Restoration Partnership Announce Availability of Funding for Local Projects. Ocean Trust and the Community-Based Restoration Program administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Restoration Center are seeking applications for the Fisheries & Habitat Restoration (FHR) Program. The program provides matching financial assistance on a competitive basis to support community-based wetland, riparian, habitat, and coastal living resource restoration projects that build diverse partnerships with the food-producing fishing community and foster local marine resource stewardship through education, restoration, or enhancement activities. Individuals, associations, or companies in fish and seafood production, processing, distribution, retail, food service, or advisory services may apply. Project proposals should describe the need for restoration or enhancement of a proposed habitat or marine resource; the proposed restoration or enhancement activity; potential industry, technical or community partners; and the project's estimated budget and any sources of matching funds or services. In 2005, up to $100,000 of funding will be available on a 1:1 matching basis for restoration projects. Matching funds from applicants may include contributions of non-federal dollars as well as in-kind donations. Projects with proposed funding levels from $5,000 to $20,000 are encouraged. Project proposals must be submitted July 15, 2005. Proposals submitted after July 15 will be considered in a second solicitation period ending November 30, 2005. The complete Request for Proposals and a list of projects supported through this program are available at the Ocean Trust Web site: http://www.oceantrust.org/restoration.htm

One more:

  • Burn Ban To Take Effect July 1: Rob Robertsen, the Clallam County Director of Community Development and County Fire Marshal, is announcing that a County-wide burn ban will take effect on Friday, July 1, 2005. The burn ban will remain in effect until October 1, 2005, unless conditions at that time require the ban to be extended. The end date of the ban could also be reduced if moisture conditions are favorable in September. This burn ban is strongly supported by the Clallam County Fire Chief’s Association. Every summer, emergency response agencies respond to a significant number of outdoor burn incidents and complaints. A majority of these responses are due to confusion with the current status of burning regulations. In order to reduce the confusion that has surrounded multiple burn bans during previous summer periods, this ban will take effect annually on July 1, ending October 1. This burn ban applies to outdoor burning only. Recreational fires are still allowed unless further banned by extreme conditions. As has been the law for many years, burn barrels are illegal in the State of Washington and there is no outdoor burning allowed in the City of Port Angeles or the Port Angeles urban growth area. Many alternatives to burning exist. For example, yard trimmings are accepted for free at the City of Sequim and at the Port Angeles landfill.