This agreement provides funding to the skagit river system cooperative (srsc) to coordinate habitat restoration efforts, conduct fisheries research, and biotic data collection in the whidbey basin…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 awarded $600,000 to the Skagit River System Cooperative (SRSC) under the Geographic Programs - Puget Sound Protection and Restoration: Tribal Implementation Assistance Program (CFDA 66.121) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. This cooperative agreement funds SRSC to coordinate habitat restoration efforts, conduct fisheries research, and collect biotic data throughout the Whidbey Basin to support the Swinomish and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes' restoration objectives and advance Puget Sound ecosystem recovery consistent with the Puget Sound Partnership Action Agenda.

SRSC will deliver comprehensive products and services including: development and updates of two recovery plans (Chinook and Steelhead); five implementation strategies addressing Chinook salmon, eelgrass, estuaries, floodplains, land development and cover, and shoreline armoring; scientific research on restoration effectiveness across the Lower Stillaguamish, Snohomish, and Skagit River watersheds; staffing support for the Skagit Watershed Council and Island County Lead Integrating Organizations; participation in regional and local planning forums; and outreach and negotiation with agency and private landowners to support high-priority habitat restoration projects. No subawards are included in this agreement, with all work performed directly by SRSC personnel based in La Conner, Washington.

This agreement provides funding to the skagit river system cooperative (srsc) to coordinate habitat restoration efforts, conduct fisheries research, and biotic data collection in the whidbey basin to assist the swinomish and sauk-suiattle tribes with improved restoration actions and to help recover and protect the health of puget sound. Srsc will develop priority restoration plans for the whidbey basin, implement the chinook recovery plan, conduct scientific studies on the effectiveness of restoration, participate in and disseminate scientific research to local and regional forums and boards and other tribes. These actions will align with and further advance puget sound partnership action agenda actions. Activities:the activities to be performed include scientific research on restoration effectiveness in the lower stillaguamish, snohomish, and skagit river watersheds, staff skagit watershed council and island county lead integrating organizations, participate in and update recovery plans relevant to skagit river, and disseminate project and program results with constituent tribes and the larger puget sound community. Work will also include outreach and negotiation with agency and individual landowners to support development and implementation of high priority restoration projects.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include coordinating and updating two recovery plans (chinook, steelhead), five implementation strategies (chinook salmon; eelgrass; estuaries; floodplains; land development and cover; shoreline armoring) for protection and restoration of salmon and steelhead habitat. Other deliverables include attending local and regional planning efforts that include lead entity's throughout the whidbey basin drainage area; local integrating organizations (LIO) for salmon recovery within the whidbey basin planning area; several puget sound partnership (PSP). Expected outcomes include implementing the priorities of the tribal habitat strategy, action agenda, and implementation strategies and building the tribe's capacity to sustain active participation in these efforts. The intended beneficiaries are the salmon and shellfish species and the members of the swinomish and sauk-suiattle tribes and surrounding communities.