WA FRIMA Application 2007
Washington Fish Screening or Fish Passage Grant Application

Application Deadline: July 20, 2007

Overview

The Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Act of 2000 (FRIMA) (PL 106-502) is a federal fish screening and passage partnership program in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and western Montana that is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The purpose of this program is to match federal funds with local, state, and tribal programs to increase fish survival, reduce entrainment in existing water distribution systems, and increase access to productive fish habitat. Total funds available for 2007 is $235,000.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for consideration under this program, a proposed fish screening or passage project must be associated with a water diversion and benefit fish species native to the project area. The project proposal may include other modifications to the water diversion that are directly associated with screening or passage improvements.

Project sponsors must provide cost share of at least 35% of the total project cost from funding sources other than FRIMA. In the case of projects not under federal ownership or management, this cost share must be from a non-federal funding source. Matching funds may include in-kind contributions such as easements, materials, equipment, or labor. Applicants must assume responsibility for operation and maintenance costs of the project as outlined in the grant conditions (page 12).

This is a partnership program and all applications must include a local, state, tribal or federal government sponsor or co-applicant. Some special provisions apply for projects on federal lands and for proposals involving tribal lands and governments. This is also a voluntary program and must include the involvement and approval of the project operator and affected landowners.

All projects must meet applicable state and federal regulatory requirements and must not involve requests for funding in lieu of already existing federal funding commitments. Applicants are responsible for obtaining all regulatory clearances including Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO), and other necessary federal, state, county and local permits. Projects will not receive final approval for project funding until all regulatory clearances are granted. Because it can take time to obtain these clearances, we encourage the applicant to start the process early by finding out what may be needed. For a list of contacts that can help you determine what is needed, see page 2.

Fish screen designs will conform to the current criteria developed and tested by the NOAA-Fisheries Northwest Regional Office. These designs have been demonstrated to protect all species of salmonids at varying sizes, and non-game fish as well. Applicants proposing screens that do not meet NOAA-Fisheries criteria need to be aware that almost no flexibility exists in the FRIMA Act to fund non-criteria screens. Non-criteria screens require the prior approval of USFWS for projects affecting non-anadromous fish and/or their habitat, and prior approval by NOAA-Fisheries for anadromous fish and/or their habitat. Current fish screening criteria can be obtained by contacting the WDFW FRIMA Coordinator listed on Page 2.

Ranking Criteria

A team of local, state, tribal, and federal reviewers will rank Washington project applications and recommend projects for funding under this program. In making their recommendations, the review team will determine if the application clearly documents that the project meets program eligibility requirements. The review team will also consider 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 will be 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 will also be evaluated on the degree of partner involvement and contribution, 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. Preference will be given to projects sponsored by local governments and to fish passage and screening associated with irrigation water diversions

Application Form and Submission

Complete this Washington application package to be considered for funding under this partnership program. The package includes a Fish Screening and Passage Program Cost Share Grant Application (page 7) and FRIMA Supplemental Information Sheet (page 9).

Multiphase applications for two-part funding are encouraged. For example, project design and cost estimates, coordination, environmental compliance and preconstruction approval would be Phase 1 tasks, with construction to be in Phase 2.

Submit the completed application with supporting materials (map to site, photos, drawings, plans, hydrologic or hydraulic analyses, letter of commitment or concurrence from landowner and other affected parties, letter of commitment for proof of match, with beginning and end dates of match availability) to:

Eric Egbers, WDFW FRIMA Coordinator
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
3601 West Washington Avenue
Yakima, WA 98903
Office: 509-575-2734
Fax: 509-454-4139
E-mail: egberebe@dfw.wa.gov

Application Due Date is July 20, 2007