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By Daron Williams

August 29, 2022


Mark your calendars for new funding opportunities to be announced soon on this website. The Habitat, Stormwater, and Shellfish Strategic Initiative Leads (SILs) will be opening solicitations for competitive Request for Proposals (RFPs) in early fall to implement priorities identified in the joint SILs Investment Plan for FFY2021-2022.

Coming soon! Upcoming RFPs to be announced the end of September – first weeks of October!

Bookmark the Puget Sound National Estuary RFP website to stay up-to-date on the RFPs for Habitat, Stormwater, and Shellfish SILs.

Shellfish Strategic Initiative Lead RFP

Close up of a shucked oyster.

A Shellfish Strategic Initiative Lead RFP focused on reducing fecal pollution to increase harvestable shellfish acreage in Puget Sound, through supporting pollution identification and correction (PIC) programs, onsite sewage system (OSS) management and livestock manure management. (Review the Shellfish SILs Investment Priorities A-C on pg. 28-32 of the SILs Investment Plan). An additional RFP will be coming later this fall/winter to fund Investment Priority D to integrate shellfish bed classification priorities in municipal and industrial wastewater facility function, planning and/or upgrades.

  • Total funding to be awarded in the first RFP: Up to $5.5 million for proposals between $200,000 to $1.5 million for up to 4 years
  • Solicitation window: Anticipating an 8-week solicitation with applications due at the end of November.

Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead RFP

Let's address toxics in fish

Photo Credit: US EPA

A Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead RFP focused on planning for public road retrofits to reduce pollution from public transportation. Funding is available for local jurisdictions to work on priority retrofit planning opportunities in their communities and are encouraged to apply collaboratively with community partners. In addition, a series of upcoming RFPs will focus on improving water quality through innovative and collaborative approaches, understanding and reducing toxics in aquatic life, and reducing nutrient contribution through program effectiveness evaluation and envisioning innovative wastewater treatment. (Review the Stormwater SILs Investment Priorities on pg. 17-27 of the SILs Investment Plan).

  • Total funding to be awarded: Up to $7.55 million across all RFPs
  • First RFP funding: Up to $2 million for proposals between $200,00 to $500,000 for up to 4 years
  • Solicitation Window: A minimum of 6 weeks. Additional RFPs will be released across 2022-2023 based on timelines established in the Investment Plan.

Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead RFP

Brown rocks near body of water under blue sky during daytime photo.

A Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead RFP focused on five investment priorities, which include Changing Planning Paradigms, enabling Project Development and Readiness, encouraging Behavior Change, strengthening Regulatory Support and increasing Information and Evaluation necessary for habitat planning, policy, implementation and decision-making. Together these investment priorities implement the Floodplains and Estuaries, Shoreline Armoring, Land Development and Cover, and Marine Vegetation Implementation Strategies to achieve multiple outcomes for streams, floodplains, forests, wetlands, estuaries, beaches, and marine vegetation in Puget Sound. (Review the Habitat SILs Investment Priorities A-E on pg. 8-16 of the SILs Investment Plan).

  • Total funding to be awarded: Up to $9 million for proposals between $200,000 to $600,000 for up to 4 years.
  • Solicitation window: Anticipating an 8-week solicitation with applications due at the end of November.

The upcoming RFPs will be announced on the Puget Sound National Estuary Program RFP website, along with supporting materials for applicants. Additional RFPs will be announced later this fall and winter for the Shellfish and Stormwater Strategic Initiatives.

Sign up below for the SILs blog to stay up-to-date on funding opportunities for FFY2021-2022.

Did You Know?

NEP Funds are aimed at investing in traditionally difficult-to-fund actions that catalyze Puget Sound recovery. Strategic Initiative Leads have been investing in Puget Sound recovery since 2016. Learn more the new process to distribute NEP funds through competitive, Request For Proposals in the SILs Funding Process Summary.

Check out FFY2016-2020 NEP funded projects!

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