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OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting proposals from organizations seeking state funds for projects that would protect and restore natural shorelines and estuaries in Puget Sound.
Applications and additional information about submitting proposals are available at http://www.pugetsoundnearshore.org/esrp.htm or by contacting Jenna Norman at 360-902-2658 or ESRP [at] dfw [dot] wa [dot] gov. Completed applications must be received by Oct. 17, 2008.
Funds will be disbursed through the Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP), established by the Legislature in 2006 as part of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s Puget Sound Initiative. WDFW, which manages the program, has distributed $14.5 million in awards to ESRP projects over the last three years.
“We’re looking to invest in exemplary projects that restore and protect the natural functions of Puget Sound’s shorelines and estuaries,” said Paul Cereghino, ESRP program manager. “These projects will benefit the nearshore environment for generations to come.”
Non-governmental organizations and private and public corporations, as well as federal, state, local and tribal governments, are eligible to submit applications to WDFW, said Cereghino.
The Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership assists in project selection and its executive committee endorses the final spending plan. The nearshore partnership, which is a regional consortium working to develop a comprehensive nearshore ecosystem restoration plan for Puget Sound, is co-chaired by WDFW and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It includes representatives from seven federal agencies, tribes, local governments, state agencies and non-governmental organizations.
