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Summary
Prior to 2016, certain EPA grantees were called "Lead Organizations" (LOs). Each Lead Organization was selected on a competitive basis using pre-established criteria and capacity to do the work.
A portion of each grant supported the LO's work within their areas of jurisdiction and responsibilities. However, most of this funding was passed through to other governmental organizations (e.g. counties, cities, special districts or tribal nations) as sub-awards to accomplish specific regional and local projects aligned with the Puget Sound Action Agenda.
In 2011, EPA awarded seven grants to five Lead Organizations. These grants, listed below, support work through 2017 and cover four themes for Puget Sound restoration and recovery.
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1. Implementation of Puget Sound Action Agenda
Puget Sound Partnership Technical Investigations and Implementation
Lead organization: Puget Sound Partnership
Amount: $6 million awarded for the first two years; potential funding of up to $18 million over a six-year project period.
Matching funds: Non-federal match must equal federal funding provided.
Project description: Establish a lead entity to create and implement: 1) an accountability and performance management system to track the progress of the Action Agenda's implementation; 2) an integrated, long-term environmental monitoring, data management and reporting information system to assess environmental progress and evaluate the effectiveness of key management actions; 3) a strategic science program to advance the science and policy dialogue and to synthesize and communicate relevant science information to improve management programs, and to identify and adapt to emerging threats identified through scientific investigation; and 4) a system for working with local watershed groups, tribes, cities, counties, special purpose districts, the private sector, and other entities to align and integrate local programs with ecosystem-level priorities and strategies.
Outcomes: Effective and efficient management of Puget Sound restoration and protection efforts.
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2. Tribal Implementation Projects
Tribal Implementation of the Action Agenda
Lead organization: Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Amount: $3 million awarded for the first year; potential funding of up to $18 million over a six-year project period.
Matching funds: Non-federal match must equal federal funding provided.
Project description: Develop and administer a grant subaward program for the federally recognized Puget Sound Indian Tribes and authorized consortia of these Tribes. Subawards will be made for activities or strategies aligned with the Action Agenda and that meet high priority ecosystem restoration and protection needs of Tribes within the Puget Sound basin.
View project summaries, progress reports, and other project information.
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Outcomes: Documented improvements in the Puget Sound ecosystem in areas identified as high priority for Puget Sound Tribes.
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3. Ecosystem Restoration and Protection
Implementing Marine and Nearshore Strategies to Protect and Restore Puget Sound
Lead organization(s): Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Washington Department of Natural Resources (Co-Leads)
Amount: $3 million awarded for the first year; potential funding of up to $48 million over a six-year project period.
Matching funds: Non-federal match must equal federal funding provided.
Project description: Implement marine and nearshore strategies to protect and restore Puget Sound. Subawards to other entities to perform this work will be a significant component to these strategies. For more information, visit
WDFW's Puget Sound Marine and Nearshore Grant Program.
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Outcomes: Improved health of the marine and nearshore resources of Puget Sound.
Implementing Watershed-Scale Strategies to Protect and Restore Puget Sound
Lead organization(s): Washington Department of Ecology, and Washington Department of Commerce (Co-Leads)
Amount:$3 million awarded for the first year; potential funding of up to $48 million over a six-year project period
Matching funds: Non-federal match must equal federal funding provided.
Outcomes: Improved watershed function within the Puget Sound Basin.
Strategic Framework for the Prevention, Reduction, and Control of Toxics and Nutrients
Lead organization: Washington Department of Ecology
Amount: $3 million awarded for the first year; potential funding of up to $48 million over a six-year project period.
Matching funds: Non-federal match must equal federal funding provided.
Project description: Implement strategies to prevent, reduce, and control loadings of toxics and nutrients to Puget Sound. Subawards to other entities to perform this work will be a significant component to these strategies. For more information, visit
Ecology's Toxic Chemicals in Puget Sound page.
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Outcomes: Decreased loadings of toxics, and decrease of adverse impacts from toxics and nutrients in Puget Sound.
Strategic Framework for the Prevention, Reduction and Control of Pathogens
Lead organization: Washington Department of Health (DOH)
Amount: $3 million awarded for the first year; potential funding of up to $48 million over a six-year project period.
Matching funds: Non-federal match must equal federal funding provided.
Project description: Implement strategies to prevent, reduce and control loadings of pathogens to Puget Sound. Subawards to other entities to perform this work will be a significant component to these strategies. For more information, visit
DOH's Pathogens Prevention, Reduction, and Control page.
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Outcomes: Decreased loadings of pathogens, and decrease of adverse impacts from pathogens to Puget Sound.
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4. Outreach, Education and Stewardship
Puget Sound Regional Stewardship Program Implementation
Lead organization: Puget Sound Partnership
Amount: $6 million, with incremental funding over five years.
Matching funds: $6 million over five years.
Project description: Establish a lead entity from a coalition of more than 300 agencies and organizations to lead public outreach, education, and stewardship efforts across the 12-county Puget Sound region. Work together through a coordinated approach to provide the coalition with an opportunity to develop, implement and administer a comprehensive public engagement program to significantly advance key public education and involvement priorities in the Action Agenda. Effective social marketing frameworks targeting measurable behavioral changes will also be created.
Outcomes: Awareness and education; stewardship and behavior change.
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