Lead Entity Program 2002 Report and Evaluation

BACKGROUND

In 1998, the Washington State Legislature enacted ESHB 2496 to empower citizens at the community level to engage in salmon recovery through a locally driven habitat protection and restoration program. The legislation recognized that active local participation is the key to ensuring public participation in, and support for, salmon recovery.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife administers grants to the Lead Entities with funds provided by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. Lead Entities are funded to solicit salmon habitat projects and to establish priorities for projects that are submitted. Project selection is guided by a habitat strategy that each Lead Entity has developed to address problems specific to its watershed. Locally based citizen and technical committees strive to identify those projects that are both scientifically sound and in harmony with the needs of the community. In addition, projects must have the support of affected landowners so that implementation is likely to succeed. Under this process, state agencies play an important role in providing both financial and technical support to Lead Entities.

PUBLIC SUPPORT

Lead Entities play a critical role in the overall salmon recovery effort that encompasses a host of regulatory and nonregulatory programs and actions. It is the only program that brings science and local community values into the decision-making process for directing salmon recovery funds. Without that, it is unlikely that citizen support will continue for achieving the broader salmon recovery goals under the Endangered Species Act.

LINK BETWEEN LOCAL HABITAT AND STATE/FEDERAL FUNDS

The Lead Entity program is a cornerstone for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board’s mission in distributing state and federal funds for salmon habitat protection and restoration projects. Currently, there is no other mechanism in the state to serve this vital function. The habitat recovery strategies developed by Lead Entities are guiding project selection towards projects that are technically sound, as well as responsive to community and social needs.

FUTURE ROLE OF LEAD ENTITIES

Lead Entities have the potential for providing a greater contribution to salmon recovery. An enhanced role could include coordination with watershed planning and subbasin planning programs, as well as providing the �"watershed habitat chapters” to a regional recovery plan and community outreach.

LEAD ENTITY SURVEY

Four years later, the question can be asked, â€�"How is the program succeeding?” In order to answer this question, the Lead Entities initiated a self-evaluation in the form of a survey. A series of questions was formulated to measure performance in five broad categories â€" WDFW grants administration; Lead Entity communication; WDFW technical assistance; Lead Entity Advisory Group (LEAG)1; and self-assessment. The survey was sent to 500 participants in the Lead Entity process in June 2002 and results were compiled and tabulated in September and October. This report summarizes and highlights the results of the survey.

SURVEY RESULTS

The survey results of the Lead Entity program portray a high degree of confidence by participants in the process and outcomes of locally driven salmon habitat project development. The results show that Lead Entities have been successful in connecting the mileposts between salmon habitat assessments (i.e. Limiting Factors Analysis), locally developed watershed strategies, and project development and prioritization. Through this investment, the public can be assured that projects for salmon habitat protection and restoration are:

• Likely to achieve salmon recovery;
• Fiscally accountable;
• Enjoying broad local support; and
• Monitored to demonstrate success.

As a tool for self-evaluation, the survey provides Lead Entities with the opportunity to engage in continuous improvement. For a program in the early stages of development, this is a crucial step that can make a big difference in coming years. Where areas for improvement have been identified, additional steps will be necessary. State agencies are committed to assisting Lead Entities in addressing areas where the need for improvement has been identified. Fortunately, there is strong local support for the program, which will translate into a salmon recovery effort that can be sustained, provided there is adequate funding.