Funding and Grants for Puget Sound

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.

National Estuary Program "2021 Funding Model"

EPA has begun implementation of its 2021 National Estuary Program funding model, which includes Strategic Initiative Leads, Tribal Implementation Lead, Implementation Strategies - Science Awards, and a possible new award in a priority area of focus not covered under any of the other cooperative agreements.

Additional grants are awarded to 19 tribes and three tribal consortia to support tribal leadership of and participation in local and regional coordination forums of the Puget Sound Management Conference and other activities relating to development and implementation of the Puget Sound Action Agenda.

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

Tribal Implementation Lead 2.0

EPA announced a second funding opportunity for a Tribal Implementation Lead award. Applications for this funding opportunity were due March 11, 2022.

The goal of the Tribal Implementation Award 2.0 is to support implementation of tribal priorities in the Action Agenda, and to coordinate and integrate this program with EPA 2021 funding model and Puget Sound management conference partners who also support Action Agenda implementation.

For more information, visit Funding Availability for Puget Sound Action Agenda Tribal Implementation Lead 2.0 (now closed).

Strategic Initiative Leads

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 in the areas of habitat, shellfish, and stormwater.

For more information, visit Funding Availability for Puget Sound Strategic Initiative Leads (now closed).

Previous Funding Awards

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 awarded in the first four years of the agreement (FY17 – FY20).
Contact: Angela Adams (adams.angela@epa.gov).

Tribal Implementation Lead Award (2016-2021)

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 awarded.
Contact: Lisa Chang (chang.lisa@epa.gov).

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 awarded from 2010 through 2019.
Contact: Lisa Chang (chang.lisa@epa.gov).