This agreement provides funding to the lower elwha klallam tribe to coordinate habitat restoration efforts and biotic data collection in the lower elwha river after two large dams were removed under…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 awarded the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe $600,000 under the Geographic Programs - Puget Sound Protection and Restoration: Tribal Implementation Assistance Program (CFDA 66.121) for a five-year performance period from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. The tribe will coordinate comprehensive habitat restoration and environmental monitoring efforts in the Lower Elwha River watershed and Port Angeles streams, following the removal of two large dams pursuant to the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act (EREFRA) of 1992. No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

The tribe will deliver services encompassing stormwater pollution prevention and correction in the City of Port Angeles, benthic dive surveys and biotic data collection in the Elwha Delta, implementation of the Elwha Conservation Parcel Prioritization Project to restore and preserve priority salmon habitat, and scientific research and monitoring activities. Primary deliverables include annual reports on viable salmonid population status and post-dam salmonid repopulation in the Lower Elwha River, identification and documentation of priority habitat protection and restoration actions, and annual water quality assessment reports for Port Angeles streams. The tribe will also engage in policy meetings and collaborative activities with federal and state partners to advance Puget Sound ecosystem recovery consistent with the Puget Sound Partnership Action Agenda.

This agreement provides funding to the lower elwha klallam tribe to coordinate habitat restoration efforts and biotic data collection in the lower elwha river after two large dams were removed under the elwha river ecosystem and fisheries restoration act (erefra, 1992), and water quality assessment in port angeles streams to help recover and protect the health of puget sound. The tribe will implement stormwater pollution prevention, restore elwha river habitat and monitor its effectiveness, conduct scientific research and data collection, and identify priority conservation projects. These actions will align with and further advance puget sound partnership action agenda actions. Activities:the activities to be performed include conducting stormwater pollution correction in city of port angeles, elwha delta benthic dive surveys and biotic data collection, identify and implement the elwha conservation parcel prioritization project for restoring and preserving priority habitat for salmon recovery post DAM removal in the elwha river watershed. The staff will attend policy meetings and collaborate with federal and state partners regarding habitat protection and restoration in elwha river watershed and the larger puget sound.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include viable salmonid population annual reports describing the status of post DAM salmonid repopulation of the lower elwha river. Other deliverables include development of priority protection and restoration actions and land conservation in the lower elwha river, and annual reports of water quality conditions and improvements in port angeles streams. Expected outcomes include strengthening the tribe's engagement in local and regional initiatives focused on post DAM removal river restoration, water quality, habitat protection and restoration and stormwater pollution prevention while 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 lower elwha klallam tribe and surrounding communities.