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Economic Recovery Information | Economic Recovery Resources | NOAA federal stimulus funds for habitat restoration

Process for Identifying State Priority Projects in Puget Sound

Initial review, web posting, and circulation. The Puget Sound Partnership reviewed projects that are potentially eligible for funding under NOAA’s FFO and that also strongly advance the priorities of the Puget Sound Action Agenda.

The Partnership conducted an initial review of habitat restoration projects that sponsors planned to submit to NOAA, totaling over $150 million. From this larger list, a proposed list of Puget Sound priority projects, totaling approximately $50 million, were identified to be part of the Puget Sound component of the State of Washington priorities for endorsement by the Governor. A draft list of the projects that are included on the proposed Puget Sound component of the package, along with the full list was posted on the Partnership’s website and circulated to the Partnership’s Ecosystem Coordination Board, the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council, Puget Sound Watershed Leads, and other interested parties. This list was also available for public comment through March 24 (see public comment below).

Download the Puget Sound Noaa Priority List (PDF)

Criteria for initial review. NOAA’s FFO specifies criteria for proposed projects to be competitive. These criteria include, among other things, readiness, jobs created, and ecological benefits. The Action Agenda, Table 4-1 (pages 88-92), provides specific guidance on assessing ecological benefits of restoration actions. Most Puget Sound projects will fall within Priority B, Restoration (page 90). Table 4-1 includes ranked priorities for near-term restoration actions. These priorities are:

  1. Restoration projects from salmon recovery three-year work plans and the Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program.
  2. The Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership General Investigation.
  3. Restoration at the mouths of major river systems.
  4. Coordinated incentive and technical assistance programs for landowners.
  5. Derelict gear removal.
  6. Bellingham bay.
  7. Port Angeles Harbor.
  8. Floodplain and river process restoration.
  9. Remove blockages of ecosystem processes; provide access to habitat.
  10. Duwamish Bay.

Public comment. The Partnership accepted public comment on the draft list of projects that strongly further the Action Agenda and are likely to meet NOAA’s FFO criteria through March 24. Comments focused on whether the projects on the list strongly advance the Action Agenda and, to the extent information was available, on whether projects on the list meet the criteria of NOAA’s FFO.

March 23, 2009 Teleconference. The Partnership conducted a teleconference on Monday March 23, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. During this call, Partnership staff described the Partnership’s process and answered questions about the process. Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council. The Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council reviewed the process for identifying priority projects that advance the Action Agenda and implement the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2009, at the Edmonds City Hall. The Recovery Council affirmed the process and supports projects on the list that advance the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan, acknowledging there are many other important projects that should be considered which benefit salmon recovery and Puget Sound recovery.

Partnership Leadership Council. Based on the public comment, Recovery Council advice, and staff compilation, a final project list was submitted to the Partnership Leadership Council. The Leadership Council affirmed the process for developing the list and recommended the projects on the list move forward to the Governor for consideration for endorsement.

Project submittal. The deadline for application to NOAA for funding was April 6. Sponsors of all projects, whether supported by the Partnership or not, applied to NOAA directly through www.Grants.gov. Sponsors of projects identified for Partnership support submitted portions of their completed project applications to Partnership staff on April 1 for review to confirm projects meet the criteria in the NOAA FFO and strongly advance the Action Agenda. Based on this review, a letter of endorsement from the Partnership was issued on April 3 to the project sponsor for submittal to NOAA along with the completed application. These projects were also advanced to the Governor for consideration for endorsement. The Governor issued endorsement letters to these projects on April 6.

Questions. Questions about this process may be addressed to Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz (Jason.Mulvihill-Kuntz@psp.wa.gov ) or Joe Ryan (Joe.ryan@psp.wa.gov ).