The Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat is looking for projects that will restore or protect salmon habitat in the rivers that flow in the Chehalis River and Grays Harbor.
Successful project proposals will receive funding through the state’s Salmon Recovery Funding Board. The minimum request is $5,000. There is no maximum, but the total amount available for all projects in the river basin is about $1 million.
Typical projects:
Planting native trees and shrubs along stream banks
Replacing undersized and poorly constructed culverts (pipes and other structures carrying water under roads) that impede salmon passage
Reconnecting side channels with a creek main stem
Anchoring tree trunks and their roots in creeks to provide shelter and create pools for fish
Removing invasive plant species like knotweed from stream banks
Buying land containing pristine salmon habitat or that could benefit from restoration
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include cities, counties, conservation districts, tribes, nonprofits, regional fisheries enhancement groups, special purpose districts such as public utility and Irrigation districts and state agencies with local partners. Private landowners may apply for a project on their land; however, the Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat encourages them to work with a qualifying organization due to the complexity of the application process.
Other considerations
Projects may be fully funded by a grant, but applicants are encouraged to provide their own resources (such as labor, materials, equipment use, or cash) to show local commitment in addition to the state investment. Additional funding sources are available to complete these projects. The Collaborative invites proposals for high priority projects that address salmon habitat needs, regardless of cost.
How to apply
Contact the Watershed Coordinator, Kirsten Harma (360-488-3232 or kharma@chehalistribe.org) to discuss the project idea. Then submit a project form to the Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat by Feb. 28. To learn more about how to apply and to download application materials, visit the Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat website, www.chehalisleadentity.org, (see “For Grant Applicants”).
