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Description
In
2000, Congress passed the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation
Mitigation Act. This Act provides the authority for
the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to create a voluntary fish
screen construction program for water withdrawal projects in the
states of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and western Montana.
The FRIMA program provides financial assistance to local partners
to correct impediments to fish passage related to irrigation and
water diversion projects and facilities. The state of Washington
has received nearly $2.5 million in FRIMA funds in the years 2002-2005.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for answers to common questions regarding FRIMA.
Eligible Grant
Recipients
Project proposals that are eligible for consideration include design,
construction, and installation of fish screens, fish ladders, and
other fish passage devices associated with water diversions located
in Washington. Projects may include modifications to water diversion
structures that are required for effective functioning of fish screens
and other upstream or downstream fish passage improvements. The intent
of the proposed diversion improvements must be to reduce fish mortality,
reduce entrainment of fish in water distribution systems, or increase
subsequent survival and reproductive success of fish species native
to, and present in, the project area. Designated state agencies may
also submit proposals to inventory eligible screening and passage
needs.
For most projects, one or more applicants must be local government
entities (regional, county, municipal, or service district). Projects
on tribal lands are to be sponsored or co-sponsored by tribal governments.
Projects at federally owned facilities or on federal lands may be
sponsored by the owning agency in partnership with a local government
co-applicant.
In addition, applicants must demonstrate commitment of at least
35 percent of total project cost from funding sources other than
FRIMA.
Funded Projects
and Applications
Reports detailing the FRIMA grants received in
Washington statet:
Grant Evaluation
Process
A team of local, state, tribal, and federal reviewers ranks
project applications in Washington and recommends
projects for funding under this program. The review team evaluates
the proposals based on the evaluation criteria and points system
contained in the application. Additionally, evaluation teams determine
whether the application clearly documents that the project meets
program eligibility requirements. The review team also considers
the magnitude of benefits anticipated to native fish species including
improved survival and habitat access, cost effectiveness in achieving
those benefits, and likelihood of success of the project as proposed.
Additional consideration is given to projects that benefit species
in special conservation status, such as federally endangered species,
and projects that are elements of conservation or recovery plans.
Applications are also evaluated on the degree of partner involvement
and contribution, the thoroughness of coordination with other affected
or interested parties, opportunities for additional biological benefits
or water use efficiencies, and the status of completion of applicable
regulatory reviews. Eligibility and ranking checklists are available
to assist in developing successful applications.
Grant Contact
Information
Eric B. Egbers – Washington
FRIMA Coordinator
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
3601 West Washington Avenue
Yakima, WA 98903
(509) 575-2734
egberebe@dfw.wa.gov
Jerry Van Meter – Federal
Project Point of Contact (POC)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pacific Region - Fishery Resources
911 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 231-6217
Jerry_Vanmeter@r1.fws.gov
Brian Peck – Western
Washington Project POC
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Office
510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 753-9560
Brian_Peck@r1.fws.gov
Malenna Cappellini – Eastern
Washington Project POC
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Mid-Columbia River Fishery Resource Office
7501 Icicle Road
Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-7573
Malenna_Cappellini@r1.fws.gov
Application
Process
An application form for Washington state is available at: http://www.fws.gov/pacific//Fisheries/Fish%20Passage-Screening%20Applications.htm
Revenue Source
FRIMA
is federally appropriated through Congress. In 2005, the funding
available to the State of Washington was $468,697.
Links
Additional
information about FRIMA is available at:
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