Aquatic Lands Enhancement
Account (ALEA)
In 1984, the Washington State Legislature created ALEA to ensure that money generated from aquatic lands was used to protect and enhance those lands.
Aquatic lands are all tidelands, shore lands, harbor areas, and the beds of navigable waters.
ALEA grants may be used for the acquisition, improvement, or protection of aquatic lands for public purposes. They also may be used to provide or improve public access to the waterfront.
The ALEA program is targeted at re-establishing the natural, self-sustaining ecological functions of the waterfront, providing or restoring public access to the water, and increasing public awareness of aquatic lands as a finite natural resource and irreplaceable public heritage.
Typical Projects
- Removing bulkheads to restore natural beach functions
- Restoring an estuary
- Replacing a waterfront boardwalk
- Restoring shoreline for salmon habitat
- Developing a waterfront park
Funding Source
ALEA is funded almost entirely by revenue generated by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources' management of state-owned aquatic lands. Revenue sources include leases on state-owned waterfront sites and sale of harvest rights for geoduck clams.Who can apply?
- Local agencies
- State agencies
- Native American Tribes
The above entities must be authorized legally to acquire and develop public open space, habitat, or recreation facilities.
Match requirements
Applicants must provide a minimum 50 percent match for each project. The match may include, but is not limited to:- Appropriations or cash
- Bonds
- Donations of cash, land, labor, equipment, and materials
- Federal, state, local, and private grants
- Applicant’s labor, equipment, and materials
For local agencies, at least 10 percent of the total project cost must come from a non-state, non-federal contribution.
Grant Caps
- Acquisition projects: $1 million
- Restoration or improvement projects: $500,000
- Development projects: $500,000
- Combination projects (acquisition and development or restoration): $1 million, of which not more than $500,000 may be for development or restoration costs.
- Administrative costs
- For acquisition projects: 5 percent of the total acquisition. Approval may be sought for greater amounts.
- For development projects: 20 percent of the total project cost. Approval may be sought for greater amounts.
- For Salmon Recovery Funding Board development projects: 30 percent of the total project cost. Approval may be sought for greater amounts.
Funding Anticipated (Average)
$5 million bienniallyEligible Projects
Acquisition
Acquisition includes the purchase of aquatic lands or uplands in fee title, or lesser interests such as leases, conservation easements, or access easements. Acquisition must result in an opportunity for reasonable public access.Restoration (Improvement)
Restoration means to return damaged or altered aquatic lands or uplands to a condition that could be reasonably expected to substantially improve ecological conditions. Restoration projects may include replanting native vegetation, altering or removing structures, and other activities that can be reasonably expected to result in a site that is self-sustaining; that is, the site will not require continual intervention to function as a predominantly natural ecosystem. Restoration projects must allow or provide public access to aquatic lands. Restoration projects with interpretive or educational elements are strongly encouraged.Development
Development means to improve, renovate, or provide new structures or facilities that support public access to aquatic lands and waters for water-dependent activities. Development projects including interpretive or educational features are strongly encouraged. Examples of eligible development projects include:• Fishing piers and platforms
• Interpretive signs, kiosks
• Launch and moorage facilities for small boats
• Non-motorized paths, trails, ramps, stairs
• Open-water swim areas
• Parking lots and entry drives or entry roads
• Restrooms, benches, tables
• Viewpoints, platforms, blinds for observing wildlife
• Site restoration
Ineligible Projects
• Concessionaire buildings• Fish or wildlife production facilities
• Indoor facilities such as swimming pools, community centers, museums, interpretive and environmental centers
• Offices, shops, residences, and meeting rooms
• Operating, overhead, or incidental costs
• Routine maintenance costs
• Legally mandated clean-up or costs of required mitigation actions not associated with the approved project.
Grant Application Schedule
Applications generally are accepted in even years. See this year’s schedule.Grant Evaluation Process (1 year)
- Applicants submit an online application and make an in-person presentation:
- The applications and presentations are reviewed and scored by staff and a panel of experts in waterfront recreation and habitat issues.
- The ranked list is presented to the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board for consideration.
- The board approves a ranked list of projects and sends it to the Governor’s Office for including in the capital budget request to the state Legislature.
- The Governor’s Office prepares a list of projects as part of its capital budget request to the Legislature.
- The Legislature approves a budget and a list of projects.
- The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board meets to make final funding decisions for projects approved by the Legislature.
Long-term Commitment
Property acquired, developed, or renovated with ALEA grants must be kept for public outdoor recreation use forever. Other commitments include ensuring proper maintenance, facilitating audits, providing for nondiscrimination, etc. Further information can be found in Manual 7: Funded Projects: Policies & The Project Agreement.
What are navigable waters?
ALEA projects must be associated with navigable waters of the state as defined by Washington Administrative Code 332-30-106, Revised Code of Washington 79.105, and Article 17 of the State Constitution.
All marine waters are, by definition, navigable, as are portions of rivers influenced by tides.
Navigable rivers and lakes are those determined by the judiciary, those bounded by meander lines, or those that could have been used for commerce at the time of statehood. The Department of Natural Resources assists the Recreation and Conservation Office in determining if a water body is navigable.
Known navigable freshwater bodies in eastern Washington include:
Calispell CreekLiberty Lake
Rock Lake
Calispell Lake
Loon Lake
Snake River
Lake Chelan
Lost Lake
Spirit Lake
Cle Elum Lake
Medical Lake
Spokane River
Columbia River
Methow River (lower)
Sprague Lake
Curlew Lake
Moses Lake
Waitts Lake
Deer Lake
Newman Lake
Wenatchee Lake
Diamond Lake
Okanogan River
Wenatchee River
Eloika Lake
Osoyoos Lake
West Medical Lake
Fishtrap Lake
Pacific Lake
Yakima River (portions)
Kachess Lake
Palmer Lake
Keechelus Lake
Pend Oreille River
