subscribe to the Partnership Newsletter link

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

What are the resources?

The Puget Sound Partnership is committed to providing information on the different components of the Economic Recovery program to support the collective investment of these funds to implement the Action Agenda for the recovery of Puget Sound. The Puget Sound Partnership will be updating information regarding the criteria and process associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 as information becomes available. This will include the role of entities involved as well as the specifics of applying, using, and accounting for these funds.

Initial Resources
  1. Grant Portal: Several federal agencies will be using the Federal Grant Portal to collect grant proposals. Entities can enroll themselves in this portal for easier application ahead of time. The grant portal, as well as instructions and a list of specific grants, can be found at: http://Grants.gov
  2. Federal Recovery Website: The Federal Government has an informative website tracking implementation of federal stimulus funds: http://www.recovery.gov/
  3. Federal Register: Many of the agencies will be posting their criteria onto the Federal Register (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html).
  4. Washington State Recovery Website: Governor Gregoire has initiated a website to help Washingtonians understand and track implementation of the recovery package. The site will also help local governments and others locate information on how to receive or apply for funding: http://www.recovery.wa.gov/
Federal Agencies
  1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued guidance for Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) on March 6th for submitting marine and coastal habitat restoration projects for stimulus funding through NOAA Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project Grants. The deadline for submittal for these funds is April 6, 2009. Governor Gregoire instructed state agencies to support implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by identifying projects that meet the criteria for the various components of the Act and that advance state priorities (http://www.recovery.wa.gov) The Puget Sound Partnership is leading the State of Washington’s review of habitat restoration projects in the Puget Sound that may be eligible for funding by the NOAA FFO.

    Project sponsors should review NOAA’s FFO to determine whether a project qualifies for funding. If the project qualifies, the sponsor should apply directly through Grants.gov, in accordance with the instructions of the FFO. Project sponsors should consider applying well before the April 6, 2009, deadline, as Grants.gov may not be able to tolerate the nation-wide traffic close to the final day for submission. In addition, project sponsors should consider submitting a paper copy and/or compact disk of their application.

    The Partnership worked with watershed groups, tribes, and local jurisdictions to identify what projects groups plan to submit to NOAA. Using the NOAA eligibility criteria and Action Agenda near-term action priorities, the Partnership will consider which of these projects qualify as state priorities. Project sponsors seeking review and support from the Puget Sound Partnership should see the Partnership’s process for identifying priority projects. .
  2. Army Corps of Engineers The Army Corps of Engineers, on behalf of the Estuary Habitat Restoration Council, has limited funds for estuary habitat restoration projects through the Estuary Habitat Restoration Program. Proposed projects must have a funding request greater than $100,000 and less than $1,500,000, and provide ecosystem benefits, have scientific merit, be technically feasible, and be cost-effective. Complete project eligibility information and evaluation criteria are available in the Federal Register (view pdf) and at: http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/ERA/Pages/pps.aspx Proposals are due to the Army Corps of Engineers on or before May 12.
  3. US Forest Service: The US Forest Service has $650 Million nationally to provide funding for reconstruction, capital improvement, decommissioning and maintenance of forest roads, bridges and trails, including related watershed restoration ecosystem enhancement projects, and for remediation of abandoned mine sites, removal of fish passage barriers, and other critical habitats, forest improvements and watershed enhancement projects. The US Forest Service sent out a ‘request for proposals’, which had a deadline of February 20th. States and US Territories are eligible for these funds. Once additional information on the projects that have been selected is available, the Partnership will post this information. The US Forest service will be administering these funds.
  4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): There are several opportunities available for projects and activities through EPA. EPA funds are being administered through Washington State Department of Ecology. Additional information on Ecology’s role in administering these funds can be found at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/recovery/index.html.
    • Wastewater Treatment: The Washington State Department of Ecology will be administering approximately $70 Million in loans directed to water quality projects through Ecology’s wastewater State Revolving Fund. A portion of these loans maybe forgiven. Twenty percent of this amount is required to be set aside for projects to address green infrastructure, energy efficiency, innovative water quality improvements, decentralized wastewater treatment, stormwater runoff, including Low Impact Development projects and water conservation. Wastewater treatment facilities, local communities, state agencies, inter-state agencies, and tribes are eligible for these funds. Ecology is currently accepting applications for these projects through March 13th. Please go to http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/funding/funding.html for additional information.
    • Diesel Emission Reductions: The Recovery Act provides $300 million for grants to retrofit heavy-duty truck and port equipment and install anti-idling technologies to reduce harmful diesel emissions. The exact distribution of these funds has not yet been determined. Once additional information is available the Partnership will post this information.