Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office | F19AS00131

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00131

The Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) grant opportunity is a discretionary funding program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, focused on aquatic natural resource conservation in western Washington State. The program supports projects that take a balanced stewardship approach: conserving and managing self-sustaining fish populations and the habitats they rely on, while also maintaining or improving opportunities for quality recreational fishing. The intent is to fund practical, on-the-ground conservation work that directly benefits aquatic ecosystems and fisheries resources.

Project location is a strict requirement. Proposals are only considered if the work takes place in western Washington, and more specifically within the Chehalis River watershed in southwest Washington. This geographic focus means the funding is aimed at addressing watershed-specific limiting factors such as barriers to fish movement, degraded stream and riparian conditions, and ecological impacts tied to non-native or invasive species that affect local fish and wildlife.

Eligible project types include several common restoration and management categories. Fish passage projects can involve removing, replacing, or improving barriers (such as culverts or other obstructions) so fish can access spawning and rearing habitat. In-stream and riparian habitat restoration can include actions that improve stream structure, water quality, and habitat complexity, as well as restoring streamside vegetation to stabilize banks, provide shade, and support healthier aquatic food webs. Introduced species management is also eligible, including work targeting aquatic invasive species, which can threaten native fish populations and disrupt habitat conditions. Proposals can be designed around one of these priorities or combine multiple approaches if they fit the program goals and the Chehalis watershed needs.

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates that the agency expects to have substantial involvement during the project compared to a standard grant (for example, coordination on technical approaches, oversight, or shared project implementation responsibilities). The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 15.608 and falls within the Natural Resources activity category. The published maximum award amount is $100,000, and the agency anticipated making about two awards under this opportunity.

In terms of eligibility, the opportunity is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to a wide range of applicants (such as local governments, tribes, nonprofits, academic institutions, and potentially other entities), with the caveat that any additional constraints would be described in the official eligibility language. The opportunity was created on March 11, 2019, with an original application closing date of May 11, 2019, indicating it was a time-limited competition for that funding cycle.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 11, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 11, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for F19AS00131

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