Geographic Programs - Puget Sound Protection and Restoration: Tribal Implementation Assistance Program

 

Puget Sound has been designated as one of 28 estuaries of National Significance under 320 of the Clean Water Act. The goal of the National Estuary Program is to attain and maintain water quality in designated estuaries that would assure protection of public water supplies and the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife and allows recreational activities in and on the water. The Puget Sound National Estuary Program's approved Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) is the Action Agenda. The Action Agenda for Puget Sound charts the course to recovery of our nation's largest estuaryit complements and incorporates the work of many partners from around Puget Sound to describe regional strategies and specific actions needed to recover Puget Sound. These strategies and actions provide opportunities for federal, state, local, tribal, and private entities to better invest resources and coordinate actions. The EPA is committed to protecting and improving water quality and minimizing the adverse impacts of rapid development in the Puget Sound Basin. These commitments include protecting the watersheds and waters of Puget Sound by protecting the fundamental watershed processes that provide and create aquatic habitats and by reducing the generation and release of toxic, nutrient and pathogen pollution. The Puget Sound Protection and Restoration: Tribal Implementation Assistance Program is aimed at assisting the Indian Tribes of the greater Puget Sound basin in their efforts to carry out work critically needed for Puget Sound protection and restoration. This work includes activities identified in, or consistent with, the Action Agenda such as efforts called for by established salmon recovery plans in the Puget Sound basin. EPA has a trust responsibility to Federally recognized Indian Tribes. EPA also recognizes that Federally recognized Indian Tribes in the greater Puget Sound basin have a critical role in the protection and restoration of the ecosystem and its resources. EPA seeks to provide financial assistance to these Tribes to help them implement priority strategies and actions in or consistent with the approved Clean Water Act 320 CCMP for Puget Sound. Program has considered relevant approaches to achieving the intended goals and objectives of the program consistent with statutory requirements, including priorities in Executive Order 14052 (Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), to invest public dollars equitably, create jobs and high labor stands, ensure goods and services are made in America, and build infrastructure that is resilient and helps combat the climate crisis using Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023: Tribal Capacity (non-competitive) Capacity grants will be continued with funding in FFY2023 funding to support each Tribe and Consortium to participate in the Puget Sound Management Conference, depending on appropriations. Eligible tasks include representing tribal interests in Management Conference forums and processes and other activities like identifying limiting factors to habitat protection and salmon and shellfish recovery. Tribal Implementation Lead (competitive) This grant was competed and will be funded with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for five years, to support eligible subaward work which includes watershed and marine/estuary habitat restoration projects. We anticipate that many of these projects will directly address salmon and shellfish recovery

Active 66.121 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Accomplishments in FFY2016: Example Tribal Capacity award accomplishments during FY 2016: •Completed aerial and historic map review as part of a channel re-alignment and fish passage feasibility and alternatives analysis of upper Boise Creek (RM 4.3 to 4.6). This task supports development of the conceptual design of this habitat restoration project to restore access by anadromous salmon including ESA-listed fish of approximately 6,000 lineal feet of stream corridor in prime salmon-bearing tributary of the White River within tribe's Usual and Accustomed fishing area. Increase in ESA-listed fish production would be an estimated 40 chinook, 15 steelhead redds and 100 coho redds. (Puyallup Tribe). •Continue to actively participate in regional and local Puget Sound Management Conference processes and forums, including the Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC), the Straits Ecosystem Recovery Network (ERN), and the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, to discuss issues of concern for the tribe. This includes assisting in developing strategies for protecting and restoring habitats and species in Hood Canal, Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe). Example Lead Organization award accomplishments during FY 2016: •Completed extended sampling of nutrient sources and harmful algal blooms (HABs) for the Sequim Bay watershed (sampling extended into FY16 due to extended algae blooms), and initiated statistical analysis of sampling results (sub-award to Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe) •Continuing to lead coordination and integration of data and analyses for Skagit Watershed Salmon Recovery Plan, including working with subgroups on modeling and GIS analysis (sub-award to Skagit River System Cooperative) Accomplishments in FFY2016: Example Tribal Capacity award accomplishments during FY 2016: •Completed aerial and historic map review as part of a channel re-alignment and fish passage feasibility and alternatives analysis of upper Boise Creek (RM 4.3 to 4.6). This task supports development of the conceptual design of this habitat restoration project to restore access by anadromous salmon including ESA-listed fish of approximately 6,000 lineal feet of stream corridor in prime salmon-bearing tributary of the White River within tribe's Usual and Accustomed fishing area. Increase in ESA-listed fish production would be an estimated 40 chinook, 15 steelhead redds and 100 coho redds. (Puyallup Tribe). •Continue to actively participate in regional and local Puget Sound Management Conference processes and forums, including the Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC), the Straits Ecosystem Recovery Network (ERN), and the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, to discuss issues of concern for the tribe. This includes assisting in developing strategies for protecting and restoring habitats and species in Hood Canal, Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe). Example Lead Organization award accomplishments during FY 2016: •Completed extended sampling of nutrient sources and harmful algal blooms (HABs) for the Sequim Bay watershed (sampling extended into FY16 due to extended algae blooms), and initiated statistical analysis of sampling results (subaward to Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe) •Continuing to lead coordination and integration of data and analyses for Skagit Watershed Salmon Recovery Plan, including working with subgroups on modeling and GIS analysis (subaward to Skagit River System Cooperative)
Fiscal Year 2017 Projects funded by Lead Tribal Organization Samish Indian Nation. In the past 4 years, Samish Indian Nation Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with the state department of natural resources and others, has removed over 500,000 pounds of treated wood and other marine debris from public and private shorelines. Samish DNR surveyed islands for creosote and marine debris and located 325 creosote or marine debris sites within the San Juan Islands. European green crabs were detected on Graveyard Spit on the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge in April 2017 through monitoring conducted by Washington Sea Grant and the refuge. To date 90 live crabs have been caught on the refuge in a trapping effort led by the Refuge and WDFW invasive species specialists. A single green crab was also found in the Jimmycomelately Creek estuary. Tribal Capacity Grantees Suquamish Indian Tribe: In August 2017, 802 acres within the Liberty Bay Shellfish Growing Area were upgraded to either Approved or Conditionally Approved by the state health department. The Tribe requested the health department to evaluate the classification in 2012, and has been involved in many activities to improve the water quality within the watershed since the growing area was downgraded in May 1991. In addition, Suquamish continued to actively participate in Puget Sound regional planning processes that included the WCLIO, the West Sound Nearshore Integration and Synthesis Project Workgroup, and the Puget Sound Shoreline Armor Implementation Strategy Identification Team
Fiscal Year 2018 15 capacity grantees have participated in local processes such as Shoreline and Growth Management Act forums. 17 Tribes have engaged in regional salmon recovery and Action Agenda meetings. 21 Tribes have engaged in collecting or providing data, traditional knowledge, or other information to local and regional processes. Several Tribes have engaged in creating tribal mechanisms relating to tribal environmental prioritizing in Puget Sound.
Fiscal Year 2020 Here are some examples from Puget Sound Tribal grantees **Grantee has been a leader in multi-agency efforts to restore the Elwha River and other streams on the North Olympic Peninsula, as well as a largescale cleanup and restoration effort within Port Angeles Harbor. The Elwha River ecosystem is still in the early “re-colonization” stage of a 4-phase recovery – 1) Preservation, 2) Re-colonization, 3) Local Adaptation, and 4) Viable Natural Population. Ecosystem recovery associated with these large-scale restoration projects will contribute significantly to the recovery of salmonids, forage fish, and shellfish populations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and greater Puget Sound. The Tribe is observing positive signs of increase in Steelhead trout, Coho, and Chinook salmon stocks. **Clam garden work has been highlighted in a Salish Sea Currents magazine article on Implementation Strategies sponsored by EPA - Puget Sound (https://www.eopugetsound.org/magazine/IS/clam-garden). **The Tribe prepared a Climate Vulnerability Assessment report and model for habitat and associated fisheries in the inland waters of northern Washington State (https://swinomish.org/media/102218/fishvulmodel_final.pdf). This information informed preparation of a draft of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Shellfish, which expands on the Tribe’s Climate Adaptation Plan. One such adaptation strategy is the restoration of clam gardening, an ancient Indigenous aquaculture technique that sustainably promotes native clam populations as well as supports tribal health and wellbeing. The Swinomish Fisheries Department and Community Environmental Health Program decided to initiate a clam garden project, see media coverage: (https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/11/24/native-americans-climate-change-swinomish/?arc404=true). **Clam garden video was completed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dDesE4u07U Draft principles for riparian restoration through new regulatory approaches drafted and shared with state-tribal riparian workgroup. **A Climate Vulnerability Assessment report and model for habitat and associated fisheries in the inland waters of northern Washington State has been prepared (https://swinomish.org/media/102218/fishvulmodel_final.pdf). **The Puget Sound Kelp Recovery Plan (https://nwstraits.org/media/3020/pugetsoundkelpconservationandrecoveryplan.pdf) was published. **One Tribe has a long standing and much celebrated Outreach and Education program that includes classroom lessons, field trips, hatchery tours and festival participation. Outreach and education are important components to the Stillaguamish Watershed Chinook Salmon Recovery Plan and the Puget Sound Action Agenda. Many of the ongoing recovery projects in the watershed require awareness, support, and involvement from the public. It is critical to work closely with the public and private landowners through outreach and education events. They can assist in identifying and implementing restoration and protection measures that will help improve recovery of Chinook Salmon in the Stillaguamish Watershed. In addition, working in local schools provides the opportunity to educate the future stewards of the Stillaguamish watershed through in-class lessons and service-learning projects, helping to create awareness, caring and protective behavior for this region’s natural resources, impacts from climate change and protection of salmon and salmon habitat. **A European Green Crab Early Detection and Monitoring program has been established in the Port Susan Bay of Whidbey Basin in Puget Sound, Washington. The primary objective of this project was to conduct green crab early detection critical to protecting the ecosystems of Port Susan and South Skagit Bay. Tribal staff completed a full season of crap trapping and found no evidence of green crabs. **After years of negotiation, an agreement has been signed to purchase over 900 acres adjacent to the Tribe's reservation, a purchase and sale agreement for development rights on 18.4 acres of the former Port Gamble mill site, which will close in 2021 protecting the shoreline into perpetuity, and a Port Gamble master plan that will move forward to the permitting phase. This was a successful mediation that set the course for future generations of tribal members and residents around Port Gamble Bay to work collaboratively toward protecting resources and the Tribe's cultural way of life, as well as the economic vitality of the area. ** A Tribe and the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council (SRC) are working to develop a regional Puget Sound recovery subcommittee to bring in Diversion, Equity, and Inclusion/Environmental Justice/tribal treaty rights into salmon and Puget Sound recovery. While this was originally a task for just the SRC, the Tribe and other subcommittee members will be recruiting additional members from other leadership Boards within the Puget Sound recovery community (Puget Sound “Management Conference”). Tribes have been involved in the Puget Sound Partnership-led process relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, but will bring treaty rights elements here and relate them to the “Healthy Environment for All” (HEAL) Act, recently passed by the Washington Legislature. The subcommittee’s goal is to: Improve awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, environmental justice, and tribal treaty rights.
Fiscal Year 2021 One Tribe has completed capture-mark-recapture data collection, data entry, and database QA/QC for year 1. Completed the smallmouth bass otolith collection and began mounting and sectioning otoliths in preparation for aging. They completed model development for analyzing count and capture-recapture data and have completed all runs (with all appropriate species) of one model and have run at least one species in the remaining three models. One Tribe celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony at clam garden site and a clam garden video was completed. One major habitat restoration project removing the Haberzetle Dam in the Snoqualmie Valley was completed. Recent accomplishments for one Puget Sound Tribe include onsite field data collection to inform the restoration design for three floodplain restoration projects including the Trafton floodplain, Cicero floodplain, and zis a ba. Other successes from the recent reporting period include continued K-12 hatchery tours and field trips to improve environmental education in the Watershed. Another success is the ongoing production of a virtual estuary education fieldtrip video. This video has provided a unique opportunity for a diverse group of technical and Tribal staff to collaborate, discuss opportunities for virtual education, and share technical and Tribal cultural knowledge in the field. Also based on the connections with State agencies established through the Tribe's involvement in the Puget Sound Management Conference, the Tribe was able to secure last minute funding for a high priority instream project on the South Fork Stillaguamish at Gold Basin. The Gold Basin landslide is the single largest contributor of fine sediment in the South Fork and one of the largest in the entire Stillaguamish Watershed. The sediment contributed at this location degrades nearly 50 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for ESA listed Chinook, steelhead, and Bull trout. Limiting contributions from this landslide were identified in the Stillaguamish Chapter of the Puget Sound Chinook Recovery Plan and the project has been a priority for the Tribe for more than 30 years. A recent accomplishment is a Clark Creek restoration project, in which the Tribe has partnered with state and county offices. Depending upon successful funding for the project proposal, the Tribe hopes to begin assessment and planning next year, in 2023. The overall goal would be to improve tributary fish passage and large river floodplain habitats. One Tribe’s effort has helped identify a design alternative and facilitate coordination with the Skagit Land Trust for a barrier removal project on a tributary to the Skagit River. The result was a creative approach that removed three passage barriers and returned the creek to its historic footprint. This will significantly improve habitat conditions for a variety of species.
Fiscal Year 2022 For the first time in years, a local Tribe’s ceremonial, and subsistence fishery for coho salmon opened on the Elwha River. Many years of the large Elwha dam removal effort, the long-term cooperative recovery monitoring effort that ensued, and the process through which co-managers have determined fishery status on the river have made this possible. For over a decade, the Tribe has used EPA Puget Sound funds to support its engagement with multiple partners in the intensive monitoring and restoration activities in the floodplain and watershed during and following dam removal. Another Tribe celebrated the success of a Dungeness River floodplain reconnection project, partially funded by EPA Puget Sound Tribal Implementation Lead award. As described by the JSKT Habitat Program Manager, "Seven months ago, the Dungeness River east floodplain at the Nature Center was a line of porta potties and a parking lot behind a dike. Today, it's a reconnected, salmon-friendly floodplain and side channel, conveying floodwaters peacefully down the valley. The bridge is wildly popular with the public, and the old parking lots and county road are out of harm's way." Another Tribe resurrected the ancient practice of clam gardening that is in part funded by EPA’s Puget Sound Tribal Capacity Grants. Early clam gardens date back as far as 3,500 years ago. Indigenous leaders from Washington state Tribe and Canadian tribes and community members and biologists were brought together to continue to construct a rock wall at the low tide line. EPA staff joined the Tribal communities for the first rock wall construction session last spring. Sediment filters through the holes between the rocks and extends the shallow, gently sloping habitat favorable to native littleneck clams, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, star fish and invertebrates that live on trapped seagrass and kelp. A 2014 study in British Columbia found that clam biomass (clams per square foot) was up to four times greater within the clam gardens. Puget Sound funds have allowed a Tribe to expand the scope of their East Fork Nookachamps watershed assessment. As the project has progressed, they have identified additional information needs for surface water quality and groundwater. This information will serve a variety of purposes now and into the future, including assessing baseline conditions, informing project selection and design, predicting responses of management actions, and long-term monitoring. One Tribe has continued to make significant progress advancing large scale floodplain/estuary restoration in the Stillaguamish watershed. Educators are very open and excited about getting their students outside and hands on with the Hatchery Tours and Iverson fieldtrips. Taking advantage of land-based access sites has increased a Tribe’s ability to collect data for nearshore seining, due to difficult boat weather conditions. Stillaguamish has been successful at collecting over 180 samples and monitoring seal haul-out locations and behavior. They learned that tagged seals are not moving up-river and do not seem to have any spatial shifts in response to salmon migration windows. Staff have been trained and have become proficient in using Survey123 and ArcGIS online. Using these apps on a tablet or smart phones has substantially increased the Tribe’s capacity to complete invasive plant surveys. A pilot project led by the Nisqually Tribe, with partners including Cedar Grove Compost, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA, University of Washington, Long Live the Kings, and Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission has been receiving funds through the Puget Sound Tribal Implementation Lead. The project site is in the Ohop Creek valley, the third largest salmon-bearing tributary to the Nisqually River, and where the Tribe has been conducting floodplain restoration for over 2 decades. A biofiltration structure routes stormwater runoff from Highway 7 (a main corridor for Mount Rainier traffic) through a 60% sand / 40% compost mixture prior to discharge into Ohop valley wetlands. Preliminary measurements indicate removal of 92% of 6PPD from this treatment process. The results of this work have implications for stormwater quality treatment throughout Puget Sound and beyond. Clean Water Act Section 320 & Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 All federally recognized Indian Tribes located within the greater Puget Sound basin, and any consortium of these eligible Tribes, may apply for funding under the program. The greater Puget Sound basin is defined as all watersheds draining to the U.S. waters of Puget Sound, southern Georgia Basin, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. An eligible Intertribal consortium is one that demonstrates that: 1) a majority of its members meet the eligibility requirements for this program; 2) all members that meet the eligibility requirements authorize the consortium to apply for and receive the grant; and 3) only members that meet the eligibility requirements will benefit directly from the grant project and the consortium agrees to a grant condition to that effect. Federal and state agencies, institutions of higher learning, units of local government, special purpose districts, conservation districts, watershed planning units organized pursuant to RCW 90.82.040 and 060, local management boards organized pursuant to RCW 90.88.030, salmon recovery lead entities organized pursuant to RCW 77.85.050, regional fisheries enhancement group organized pursuant to RCW 77.95.060 and nongovernmental entities are not eligible to directly receive financial assistance awards under this assistance listing. Business enterprises and individuals or families will also not be eligible applicants. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. The beneficiary of assistance under this program would be the Federally recognized Indian Tribes or the consortia of these Tribes that receive the assistance. Ultimate beneficiaries would include the tribal members and the general public (due to the general public's interest in restoring and protecting the resources of Puget Sound). Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is required. Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Agency Contacts" in the competitive announcement. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov. EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Each Request for Application (RFA) issued under this assistance listing will specify the deadline for that individual solicitation. The Region expects that its review of the applications received in response to competitive announcements will be completed within 120 to 150 days following the deadline for the submission of applications for each Request for Applications (RFA) issued under this program. Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures. Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Not applicable. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be published in the announcement of the competitive funding opportunity. The Puget Sound funds were appropriated by Congress in conjunction with the Clean Water Act for development and implementation of programs that will improve water quality, air quality and for development and minimize the adverse impacts of rapid development in the Puget Sound basin, including activities liked to habitat restoration projects or controlling sources of nonpoint pollution The assistance may be used by Tribes to plan for and implement work that is critically needed for Puget Sound restoration and protection. Such work includes priority actions or strategies in or consistent with the approved Section 320 CCMP for Puget Sound including, but not limited to, projects called for by established salmon recovery plans, except where the proposed work is inconsistent with applicable Federal law, regulation or published EPA policy. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Geospatial information is information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features or boundaries on the earth, or applications, tools, and hardware associated with the generation, maintenance, or distribution of such information. This information may be derived from, among other things, GPS, remote sensing, mapping, charting, and surveying technologies, or statistical data. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial). Performance Reports: Please refer to "Progress Reports". Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. 50%. There is a statutory match of 50% of the total project costs for assistance agreements under CWA §320(g)(3)(ii) and CWA Section 320 allows for an aggregate match. For development of the CCMP, the federal share of a grant to any person (including State, interstate, or regional agency or entity) under CWA §320(g)(3)(A)(i), for a fiscal year shall not exceed 75 percent of the annual aggregate costs of development of a CCMP. Match Requirement for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) - also called BIL Funding Regional Administrators may waive non-federal share requirements at the request for applications (RFA) or project level if they would substantially delay projects slated to move forward using FY22IIJA funds. Any exercise of this waiver should be properly documented per requirements from EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment. To support achieving the goal of targeting 40 percent of total IIJA Geographic Program investments and benefits to disadvantaged communities, each Geographic Program will develop a IIJA equity strategy. The option to waive or reduce match for IIJA funds in FY23-26 is conditional on each Geographic Program submitting their strategy to the Office of Water and receiving concurrence on the strategy. NOTE: Matching requirements are mandatory unless an approved waiver is in place.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. In FFY2020 new grants were awarded for FY2021-2025. Funds will be disbursed to assistance recipients in accordance with the terms specified in their respective assistance agreements, and the availability of new appropriations. A Tribal lead organization cooperative agreement was awarded for FFY2016-2021, and a new cooperative agreement was awarded in FFY2022 using Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding. Incremental funds will be awarded each year depending on the availability of new appropriations. Assistance will be disbursed in accordance with the terms of each assistance agreement. Typically, assistance recipients draw funds at either monthly or quarterly intervals based on their incurred costs. Peter Murchie, Manager Geographic Programs Section Water Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 155, Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 553-1148 or 1-800-424-4EPA, extension 3-1148. Peter Murchie, Manager Geographic Programs Section Water Division
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 155
Seattle, WA 98101 US
Murchie.Peter@epa.gov
Phone: 206-553-1148 or 1-800-424-4EPA, extension 31148 https://www.epa.gov/puget-sound 06-0108-0-1-304 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$7,000,000.00; FY 23 est $7,000,000.00; FY 24 est $7,000,000.00; FY 21$8,825,000.00; FY 20$8,825,000.00; FY 19$7,700,000.00; FY 18$7,700,000.00; - (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$7,500,000.00; FY 23 est $7,800,000.00; FY 24 est $8,400,000.00; FY 21$0.00; - (IIJA Appropriation) $150,000 - $160,563 with three Tribes receiving an extra $50,000 for Puget Sound Ecosystems Coordination Board participation, and new amounts were allocated in FY2020 and FY2021 to $175,000 with the three Tribes receiving $225,000. For FY 2022 and FY2023, each Tribe received $300,000 with the three Tribes receiving $350,000. Yearly the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission receives a larger amount than the standard amount for some overall coordination and communication responsibilities for all 19 eligible tribes. For the Tribal Lead Organization grant, new funding for FY2022 with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding was allocated in the amount for $7,500,000 for the next five years. For grants and cooperative agreements with local governments, tribal governments and special purpose districts, the procedures and requirements should be in conformance with 2 CFR 200 and 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs) Fiscal Year 2016 No projects to report with this year funding since the incremental funding will be awarded in late FFY2016. Accomplishments in FFY2016: Example Tribal Capacity award accomplishments during FY 2016: •Completed aerial and historic map review as part of a channel re-alignment and fish passage feasibility and alternatives analysis of upper Boise Creek (RM 4.3 to 4.6). This task supports development of the conceptual design of this habitat restoration project to restore access by anadromous salmon including ESA-listed fish of approximately 6,000 lineal feet of stream corridor in prime salmon-bearing tributary of the White River within tribe's Usual and Accustomed fishing area. Increase in ESA-listed fish production would be an estimated 40 chinook, 15 steelhead redds and 100 coho redds. (Puyallup Tribe). •Continue to actively participate in regional and local Puget Sound Management Conference processes and forums, including the Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC), the Straits Ecosystem Recovery Network (ERN), and the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, to discuss issues of concern for the tribe. This includes assisting in developing strategies for protecting and restoring habitats and species in Hood Canal, Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe). Example Lead Organization award accomplishments during FY 2016: •Completed extended sampling of nutrient sources and harmful algal blooms (HABs) for the Sequim Bay watershed (sampling extended into FY16 due to extended algae blooms), and initiated statistical analysis of sampling results (subaward to Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe) •Continuing to lead coordination and integration of data and analyses for Skagit Watershed Salmon Recovery Plan, including working with subgroups on modeling and GIS analysis (subaward to Skagit River System Cooperative)
Fiscal Year 2018 Tribal Implementation Projects - The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore the Dungeness River. As of 2018 (part-way through this multi-year project), the tribe has successfully conserved an addition 8 acres of floodplain habitat on the Dungeness River. Protection of floodplain habitat is recognized as a priority within the Puget Sound National Environmental Program (NEP) Management Conference and within the Puget Sound NEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). Developing and maintaining relationships between tribal staff and landowners is key to working through these complex processes and sustaining support for conservation and restoration efforts. The skills that the tribe and its partners have developed are in demand from other entities working to restore Puget Sound and they are frequently invited to participate in regional discussions on improving the efficiency of conservation projects. Effective collaborative governance and collaborative restoration is a hallmark of the goals of the NEP program. The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is a strong partner in the urgent regional effort to stem the invasion of European Green Crab. The tribe leads monitoring and eradication efforts in the tidal channels of Dungeness Bay and Sequim Bay; in 2018 they led a successful monitoring season with no additional green crab found in Sequim Bay however, Dungeness Bay continues to produce green crab. Green Crab was removed from tidal channels; an additional 60 crabs were removed from Dungeness Bay. The Makah Tribe is leading a Brownfield remediation effort to protect and restore part of their reservation’s watershed. Protection of Puget Sound tribal watersheds and resources is recognized as a priority within the Puget Sound National Environmental Program (NEP) Management Conference and within the Puget Sound NEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).The tribe selected and contracted with a firm for this project because of their previous experience with the site, their knowledge of the issues at the site, and understanding of the project’s goals. The Nisqually Tribe continued to work collaboratively with many other regional science and salmon management authorities to support a large and exemplary U.S.-Canada joint scientific effort to identify the causes and potential solutions to patterns of massive mortality of juvenile salmon as they transit Puget Sound and greater Salish Sea, which extends into Canada. This effort is recognized as a priority within the Puget Sound National Environmental Program (NEP) Management Conference and within the Puget Sound NEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The tribe uses this funding to provide facilitation support for the U.S. Coordinating Committee, U.S. Technical Team, and U.S.-Canada research teams leading pending and active research activities; to ensure coordination between the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project and other relevant Puget Sound-region management initiatives. The Nisqually Tribe is also evaluating and implementing management plans for riparian habitat in four priority areas of the Nisqually Watershed, including the Nisqually Estuary, Mashel River, Ohop Creek, and the Nisqually River mainstem. Riparian issues are clearly recognized as a priority within the Puget Sound NEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). In addition, the Nisqually Chinook Recovery Plan, a regional plan developed by multiple entities under the ESA-listing of the Puget Sound Chinook, has designated these areas as highest priority for restoration in the watershed. The Tribe will develop a maintenance plan for each of the priority areas and perform maintenance tasks identified during habitat assessment on up to 25 acres of riparian habitat. To date, the tribe has conducted site visits to 5 riparian areas for this project. Tribal Capacity Grants - During FY2018, in response to downgrades of 65 acres of shellfish growing areas from Approved to Prohibited, the Suquamish Tribe used this funding to support staff who coordinated with the county health district to identify potential sources and corrective actions. The Suquamish Tribe leads planning and assessment studies to protect local watersheds. In FY 2018, they completed two watershed assessment reports and submitted an abstract on one of these projects to the largest regional Puget Sound/Salish Sea ecosystem recovery conference. Muckleshoot Tribe In FY2018, the Muckleshoot Tribe continued its work monitoring upstream migration and pre-spawning mortality of Chinook salmon in the Green-Duwamish River. Puget Sound chinook salmon recovery is a central regional priority for the Puget Sound regional recovery effort. Tagging began July 23, 2018 and was completed September 5th, 2018 after 297 adult Chinook were equipped with tag bundles. Monitoring migration by mobile and stationary tracking occurred on schedule. Spawning ground carcass surveys started on time and, depending on weather conditions, will continue through early November. Stationary receivers have been downloaded as scheduled. As of September 30, 2018, 47 tags were recovered from Chinook fisheries, 8 tags were recovered from the spawning grounds and 23 tags were recovered from Soos Creek Hatchery; additional tags will be recovered as spawning continues.
Fiscal Year 2019 Some of the funded projects include Tribes: 1) organizing a panel to share priorities, reasons for engaging in oil spill planning, preparedness and response, which provides an opportunity to share challenges and barriers to engagement between tribal representatives and state and federal agencies; 2) working on oil spill and vessel traffic safety 3) working with partners to incorporate tribal input which resulted in the selection of a pilot sub basin that is a high priority for salmon recovery; 4) continuing to update new climate resilience website, do climate resilience projects and perform data analysis which focuses on natural resources and climate projections to those natural resources (www.climate.pnptc.org) ; and 5) adding new databases and reports to the climate change database repository to be used in conjunction with the current habitat and fishery management information. For examples of past funding, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/puget-sound/funding-and-grants-puget-sound#past-funding
Fiscal Year 2020 Here are some examples from Puget Sound Tribal grantees **Grantee has been a leader in multi-agency efforts to restore the Elwha River and other streams on the North Olympic Peninsula, as well as a largescale cleanup and restoration effort within Port Angeles Harbor. The Elwha River ecosystem is still in the early “re-colonization” stage of a 4-phase recovery – 1) Preservation, 2) Re-colonization, 3) Local Adaptation, and 4) Viable Natural Population. Ecosystem recovery associated with these large-scale restoration projects will contribution significantly to the recovery of salmonids, forage fish, and shellfish populations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and greater Puget Sound. The Tribe is observing positive signs of increase in Steelhead trout, Coho, and Chinook salmon stocks. **Clam garden work has been highlighted in a Salish Sea Currents magazine article on Implementation Strategies sponsored by EPA - Puget Sound (https://www.eopugetsound.org/magazine/IS/clam-garden). **The Tribe prepared a Climate Vulnerability Assessment report and model for habitat and associated fisheries in the inland waters of northern Washington State (https://swinomish.org/media/102218/fishvulmodel_final.pdf). This information informed preparation of a draft of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Shellfish, which expands on the Tribe’s Climate Adaptation Plan. One such adaptation strategy is the restoration of clam gardening, an ancient Indigenous aquaculture technique that sustainably promotes native clam populations as well as supports tribal health and wellbeing. The Swinomish Fisheries Department and Community Environmental Health Program decided to initiate a clam garden project, see media coverage: (https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/11/24/native-americans-climate-change-swinomish/?arc404=true). **Clam garden video was completed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dDesE4u07U Draft principles for riparian restoration through new regulatory approaches drafted and shared with state-tribal riparian workgroup. **A Climate Vulnerability Assessment report and model for habitat and associated fisheries in the inland waters of northern Washington State has been prepared (https://swinomish.org/media/102218/fishvulmodel_final.pdf). **The Puget Sound Kelp Recovery Plan (https://nwstraits.org/media/3020/pugetsoundkelpconservationandrecoveryplan.pdf) was published. **One Tribe has a long standing and much celebrated Outreach and Education program that includes classroom lessons, field trips, hatchery tours and festival participation. Outreach and education are important components to the Stillaguamish Watershed Chinook Salmon Recovery Plan and the Puget Sound Action Agenda. Many of the ongoing recovery projects in the watershed require awareness, support, and involvement from the public. It is critical to work closely with the public and private landowners through outreach and education events. They can assist in identifying and implementing restoration and protection measures that will help improve recovery of Chinook Salmon in the Stillaguamish Watershed. In addition, working in local schools provides the opportunity to educate the future stewards of the Stillaguamish watershed through in-class lessons and service-learning projects, helping to create awareness, caring and protective behavior for this region’s natural resources, impacts from climate change and protection of salmon and salmon habitat. **A European Green Crab Early Detection and Monitoring program has been established in the Port Susan Bay of Whidbey Basin in Puget Sound, Washington. The primary objective of this project was to conduct green crab early detection critical to protecting the ecosystems of Port Susan and South Skagit Bay. Tribal staff completed a full season of crap trapping and found no evidence of green crabs. **After years of negotiation, an agreement has been signed to purchase over 900 acres adjacent to the Tribe's reservation, a purchase and sale agreement for development rights on 18.4 acres of the former Port Gamble mill site, which will close in 2021 protecting the shoreline into perpetuity, and a Port Gamble master plan that will move forward to the permitting phase. This was a successful mediation that set the course for future generations of tribal members and residents around Port Gamble Bay to work collaboratively toward protecting resources and the Tribe's cultural way of life, as well as the economic vitality of the area. ** A Tribe and the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council (SRC) are working to develop a regional Puget Sound recovery subcommittee to bring in Diversion, Equity, and Inclusion/Environmental Justice/tribal treaty rights into salmon and Puget Sound recovery. While this was originally a task for just the SRC, the Tribe and other subcommittee members will be recruiting additional members from other leadership Boards within the Puget Sound recovery community (Puget Sound “Management Conference”). Tribes have been involved in the Puget Sound Partnership-led process relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, but will bring treaty rights elements here and relate them to the “Healthy Environment for All” (HEAL) Act, recently passed by the Washington Legislature. The subcommittee’s goal is to: Improve awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, environmental justice, and tribal treaty rights.
Fiscal Year 2022 Intensive monitoring and restoration activities in floodplains and watersheds; resurrection of the ancient practice of clam gardening; and establishing salmon recovery plans. For examples of the types of projects funded under this assistance listing, please visit the following website: https://www.epa.gov/puget-sound/funding-and-grants-puget-sound.