Purpose:
We’ll discuss Ecology’s Floodplain by Design Grant changes for the upcoming grant round that will prioritize projects for funding in the 2017-19 Biennium. The grant process will start in Fall 2016. A draft grant guidance document will be available by July 16th. Your feedback on the revised grant program will be used to finalize the requirements for the program.
In addition to the grant program, there will be opportunities at the workshop to continue discussions for developing a regional vision for floodplains, engagement of the agricultural community and sharing progress on integrated floodplain management. The workshop agenda is below.
Location:
Shoreline Room (North End of the Complex)
Shoreline Conference Center
18560 First Avenue NE
Shoreline, WA 98155-2148 (map)
Workshop Agenda:
9:00 – 9:15: Introduction and Welcome: Bob Carey
Bob will review the agenda and purpose of the workshop.
9:15 – 10:00: FbD Projects Funded in 2015-17 Biennium: Gordon White
Gordon and several project sponsors will highlight the projects funded by the legislature.
10:00 – 10:30: Overview Ecology’s FbD Draft Grant Guidelines for 2017-2019 Biennium: Tom Clingman and Scott McKinney
Tom and Scott will provide a high level briefing on the draft guidelines that will have been sent out by July 16th. They will highlight the major changes and issues for discussion in small groups.
10:30 – 11:00: Break
11:00 – 1:00: Small Group Discussions of Grant Guideline Issues (pick up box lunch)
Small groups will discuss the major changes and issues of greatest interest to their group. The issues could include:
- How should project evaluators assess the relationship between a specific project and the overall strategy for the reach in which the project is located? What actions in a reach should be counted as match? How far in distance and time can reach actions be counted as match and for evaluating the benefits of a project?
- Are the questions in the guidelines best for assessing the impacts and benefits for agriculture? How should agricultural areas be defined?
- Will the point system encourage the best projects?
- Are the metrics in the guidelines helpful for defining project results?
- Other topics of interest to the group.
1:00 – 1:30: Break
1:30 – 2:00: Local Integrating Organizations (LIOs) and Puget Sound Vital Signs: Jeannette Dorner
Jeannette will describe LIO process in regard to vital signs and how it is coordinated with the FbD request of local floodplain leaders for visions and strategies.
2:00 – 2:45: Current and Future Funding: Mo McBroom and Tom Bugert
Mo and Tom will highlight the legislative discussions from the last session regarding funding for natural resource capital programs and the potential of a big water initiative.
2:45 – 3:00: Closing comments and next steps: Bob Carey
We hope you can join us on July 23!