Project Grant 02J96001

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) (PL 117-58) TO THE TILLAMOOK ESTUARIES PARTNERSHIP (TEP). THE RECIPIENT WILL SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP) AND STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, PROTECT THE NATURAL HABITAT AND LIVING RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES. THE PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR FUNDING VIA THE IIJA WILL LEVERAGE EXISTING EFFORTS. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL IMPLEMENT PROJECTS THAT CONSERVE AND RESTORE TILLAMOOK COUNTY'S WATERSHEDS THROUGH ACTIVE STEWARDSHIP, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND EDUCATION.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES PROPOSED INCLUDE WATER QUALITY PROJECTS, HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT PROJECTS.SUBRECIPIENT:RESEARCH AND MONITORING: WATER RESOURCES MANAGER (TEP IS UNDER CONTRACT WITH DEQ FOR 0.5 FTE; ANNUAL NOT-TO-EXCEED $100K. FUNDED IN PART BY EXTERNAL GRANTS OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES AND DELIVERABLES INCLUDE MEASURABLE PROGRESS TOWARD THE FOLLOWING GOALS: MEET OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BACTERIA STANDARDS AT 50% OF MONITORING SITES BY 2028; IDENTIFY STATUS AND TRENDS AND QUANTIFY CHANGING CONDITIONS IMPACTING TILLAMOOK COUNTY ESTUARIES; CREATE SEPTIC SYSTEM INVENTORY FOCUSED ON PROPERTIES ADJACENT TO STREAMS, RIVERS, SLOUGHS, AND BAYS; PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTNER-LED HABITAT MONITORING EFFORTS TO ENSURE COMPARABLE DATA ACROSS PACIFIC COASTAL REGION; SUPPORT THE LONG TERM OBJECTIVE OF RECONNECTING AND RESTORING TIDAL WETLANDS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS GRANT AND NATIONAL PROGRAM ARE THE PUBLIC AND THOSE WHO LIVE, WORK AND RECREATE IN AND AROUND TILLAMOOK COUNTY'S ESTUARIES AND WATERSHEDS.