Nearly $10 Million in Grants to Fund Fish Screening and Passage Projects Available

Wallowa County – (Release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) An allocation of $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds and $4.41 million from an ODFW-ODOT fish passage restoration agreement provides a chance to tackle high priority fish passage and screening projects to help Oregon’s native fish. ODFW is accepting applications through January 31, 2023.

Water users, watershed councils, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, tribes and individual users are encouraged to apply. Applicants must document the cooperation and permission from all pertinent landowners and water users.

Please fill out the application form here (doc) to apply. Applications should be sent to Pete Baki at pete.baki@odfw.oregon.gov.

Additional information on ODFW Grants and ARPA Federal Requirements (pdf)

Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential projects with ODFW prior to submission if there are questions or to review project value and implementation plans.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a high priority fish passage or screening project
• Must have a signed landowner agreement required prior to approval
• Projects associated with fulfilling mitigation requirements will not be accepted
• Must identify how passage and screening will be maintained after implementation

Funds are focused on projects that:

• Support projects described in a Conservation and Recovery Plan
  • Are listed on the ODFW Statewide Fish Passage Priority List: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/docs/2019%20Fish%20Passage%20Priority%20List.pdf
  • Benefit ESA and State Sensitive listed species
  • Provide access or improved access to a large quantity of high-quality habitat
  • Fish screens must meet current fish screening criteria
  • Provide a timeline, including permit acquisition, that results in project implementation by December 31, 2024

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Elkhorn Media Group