02/15/2007: "Nearshore Restoration Workshop In FH"

A workshops will be held in Friday Harbor (Feb 20th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m , Community Room, Islander's Bank Administrative Offices) for individuals and organizations interested in sponsoring nearshore habitat restoration and preservation projects.

The workshop will be hosted by the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and is designed to provide potential project sponsors with up-to-date information and guidance on nearshore restoration and familiarize them with the state's Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (Warning: Large File), established by the Legislature in 2006 as part of Gov. Chris Gregoire's Puget Sound Initiative .

WDFW, which manages the program, awarded $2.5 million to ESRP projects last year, and Gov. Gregoire has proposed $7.5 million for additional grants in 2007-09. Final funding amounts will be determined by the Legislature.

"A great deal of new information has come to light on the science of nearshore restoration and preservation in recent years," said Curtis Tanner, WDFW restoration project manager. "We want to make sure those interested in sponsoring a project have the information and tools they need to develop successful proposals."

Workshop topics include the grant-award timetable, project-selection criteria, reports on 2006 ESRP projects and an update on the General Investigation Study for the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project. Facilitators will be available to answer questions following the workshops.

A workshops will be held in Friday Harbor (10 a.m. to 2 p.m , Community Room, Islander's Bank Administrative Offices) for individuals and organizations interested in sponsoring nearshore habitat restoration and preservation projects.

The workshop will be hosted by the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and is designed to provide potential project sponsors with up-to-date information and guidance on nearshore restoration and familiarize them with the state's Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP), established by the Legislature in 2006 as part of Gov. Chris Gregoire's Puget Sound Initiative .

WDFW, which manages the program, awarded $2.5 million to ESRP projects last year, and Gov. Gregoire has proposed $7.5 million for additional grants in 2007-09. Final funding amounts will be determined by the Legislature.

"A great deal of new information has come to light on the science of nearshore restoration and preservation in recent years," said Curtis Tanner, WDFW restoration project manager. "We want to make sure those interested in sponsoring a project have the information and tools they need to develop successful proposals."

Workshop topics include the grant-award timetable, project-selection criteria, reports on 2006 ESRP projects and an update on the General Investigation Study for the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project. Facilitators will be available to answer questions following the workshops.

The preliminary agenda for the workshop is as follows:
• 10:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: Greetings and introductions
• 10:15 a.m.-noon: Staff presentations
o Emerging lessons from the Nearshore General Investigations Study
o Results of the 2006 ESRP program
o Schedule and criteria for the 2007-09 program
o Questions and answers
• Noon-12:30 p.m.: Lunch on your own
• 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.: Individual work sessions
o Staff available for discussion of individual projects and proposals.

To reserve space at a workshop location, send an email to ESRP@dfw.wa.gov .