An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Puget Sound

Funding and Grants for Puget Sound

EPA has announced funding availability for Puget Sound Strategic Initiative Leads. Applications are due November 9, 2020.

EPA receives money from Congress to help protect and restore Puget Sound. These funds are used to help implement Washington's Puget Sound Action Agenda using cooperative agreements with designated state agencies, local and tribal governments, universities and non-governmental organizations.

On this page:

National Estuary Program Funding (2021-2025)

EPA has begun implementation of its 2021 National Estuary Program (NEP) funding model by announcing a second funding opportunity for Strategic Initiative Lead awards in the areas of:

  1. Habitat.
  2. Shellfish.
  3. Stormwater.

Applications for Strategic Inititaive Leads are due November 9, 2020.

Strategic Initiative Leads implement the Action Agenda, serve as Implementation Strategy Leads, and participate in a number of Puget Sound Management Conference work groups and processes.

This will be followed by competitions for the second Implementation Strategies - Science Awards, the next Tribal Implementation Award, and a possible new award in a priority area of focus not covered under any of the other cooperative agreements.

EPA also awards funds to the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for projects of high tribal priority that are consistent with the Action Agenda. Additional grants are awarded to 19 tribes and three tribal consortia to support tribal participation in regional coordination boards and management conferences as well as to implement recovery activities consistent with the Action Agenda.

Additional details about the structure of the 2021 NEP funding model are provided in the following slides:

For questions, contact Angela Adams (adams.angela@epa.gov), 206-553-0332.

Top of Page

Implementation Strategies – Science Awards (2017–2021)

Led by the Puget Sound Partnership in coordination with the University of Washington Puget Sound Institute (PSI) and Oregon State University.

  • Objectives: Provides science support to Strategic Initiative Leads to update, complete, or initiate Implementation Strategies (ISs) using the approaches developed through prior awards to the Partnership and PSI. Takes the ecosystem perspective by (1) integrating across Vital Signs and ISs under development and (2) preparing the scientific basis required for future ISs to ensure a balanced and comprehensive program. Supports the foundational science basis for Puget Sound recovery and long-term protection programs. This work complements the focus on ISs by (a) identifying, prioritizing, and promoting critical information needs identified by ISs; and (b) ensuring critical evaluation and technical peer review of intermediate and final IS plans.
  • Funding: Over $7.2 million has been awarded in the first four years of the agreement (FY17 – FY20).
  • Contact: Angela Adams (adams.angela@epa.gov).

Top of Page

Tribal Implementation Lead Award

Led by the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

  • Objective: Facilitate implementation of projects of high tribal priority that are consistent with the action agenda.
  • Funding: Over $21 million has been awarded.
  • Contact: Lisa Chang (chang.lisa@epa.gov).

Top of Page

Tribal Capacity Awards

Awarded to 19 tribes and three tribal consortia.

  • Objective: Support tribal participation in regional coordination boards and management conferences as well as to implement recovery activities consistent with the Action Agenda.
  • Funding: Over $38 million has been awarded from 2010 through 2019.
  • Contact: Lisa Chang (chang.lisa@epa.gov).

Top of Page

Past Funding Awards