SEATTLE, WA, Oct. 27, 2009 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it is now accepting project proposals for $10 million in grant dollars targeted specifically to protect and restore Puget Sound watersheds.
Tribes, local governments and "special purpose districts" are eligible for this round of funding. Proposals must be submitted by January 5, 2010.
According to Michelle Pirzadeh, acting EPA Regional Administrator in Seattle, this infusion of funding will help local tribes and government agencies turn their plans into action.
"Puget Sound needs our help," said Pirzadeh. "This funding will go directly to our local and tribal partners who are on the front lines of protecting and restoring Puget Sound. These dollars come at critical time when budgets are stretched thin and help is needed to recover the Sound by 2020."
EPA is now soliciting proposals that will help local and tribal governments implement the Puget Sound Partnership's Action Agenda. EPA is asking for proposals that integrate land use decisions and watershed protection efforts and projects that help meet EPA's goals for Puget Sound that include:
- Improving shellfish growing areas;
- Cleaning-up contaminated sediments and controlling up-stream sources of contamination;
- Restoring and protecting estuarine wetlands.
Grant proposals are due to the EPA by January 5, 2010. Approximately 15 awards will be made, ranging from about $300,000 to $1 million. Tribal and local governments and special purpose districts are eligible to apply. EPA is holding a workshop to answer questions about the solicitation and grant program criteria on Monday, November 16, at 1:00 PM at EPA's downtown Seattle office. See the websites below for more information.
State and federal agencies, universities, watershed councils, salmon recovery lead entities and non-government entities are not eligible for this solicitation, but they are encouraged to participate by partnering and collaborating with the eligible entities mentioned above.
Additional solicitations for Puget Sound federal funding are expected in the near future.
For additional information on the Grant program, visit: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/Office+of+Water/WEI09RFP
For more about EPA's work to protect and restore Puget Sound, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region10/psgb/
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