Estuary and Salmon
Restoration
Program (ESRP)
The Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program provides grants to protect and restore the Puget Sound near-shore. The program was created by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to support the emerging priorities of the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Program. All phases of project development from feasibility through implementation are eligible for funding. For details, visit the Puget Sound Nearshore Project Web site at www.pugetsoundnearshore.org/esrp/index.html.
Typical Projects
Typical projects include near-shore restoration and protection activities that restore natural ecosystem processes and functions. Examples of previously funded projects include:
- Protection of near-shore and wetland habitat
- Restoration of salmon habitat and estuaries
- Removing or breaching dikes
- Removing bulkheads to restore sediment supply and transport to beaches
- Feasibility and design
- Outreach to engage local communities for restoration and protection projects
- Decommissioning roads and removing fill
Funding Source
Funding comes from the State Building Construction Fund. Federal funding also has been received from the Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Who can apply?
- Local agencies
- State agencies
- Federal agencies
- Native American tribes
- Academic institutions
- Private institutions
- Nonprofit organizations
Match requirements
A match of cash or in-kind services equaling 30 percent of the total project cost is required. This match must be incurred during the award period. Some of this match must be non-state funds. Match requirements are typically consistent with RCO definitions; however, match eligibility is determined case-by-case.Grant Caps
None.Funding Anticipated (Average)
$10 million bienniallyEligible Projects
Program priorities steer funding toward projects focused on restoring physical ecological processes.
- Acquisition
- Restoration
- Feasibility
- Design
- Prioritization inventories
- Regional Feasibility and Predesign Projects (or Learning Projects)
- Outreach
Learning and Adaptive Management
Estuary restoration is an emerging science. Regional feasibility and predesign projects (learning projects) help to clearly identify the need or problems and provide insight and analysis into the options for large and complex ecosystems projects.Ineligible Projects
Projects with the primary objective of providing recreational access or remediating chemical contamination are not eligible as stand-alone projects; however these activities may be eligible components of larger efforts. Grants will not be awarded for work that relieves obligatory payment or mitigation requirements.
Grant Application Schedule
Grant funds are distributed through a competitive process. Applications are accepted every 2 years through the release of a Request for Proposals. See the schedule.Grant Evaluation Process (6 months)
Previous grant application cycles have begun with a spring release of a request for proposals, late summer application deadline, and a year-end funding decision.
Project proposals are evaluated based on their cost and likelihood of addressing high priority ecosystem impairment. Proposals are ranked by an independent technical review committee resulting in ranked project list.
Long-term Commitments for Funded Projects
Any properties acquired with these grants must be managed forever for the purposes stated in the grant agreement. Grant recipients must submit a stewardship plan that identifies how the site and restoration investment is to be protected over time.