The Habitat Strategic Initiative is working closely with their Advisory Team (HSIAT) to select a suite of actions to invest in with EPA National Estuary Program (NEP) funds to advance Puget Sound recovery goals described in the 2018-2022 Puget Sound Action Agenda. EPA’s funding guidance provides direction to the Strategic Initiative teams on the types of actions that are best aligned with the funding goals. Using the EPA guidance, the HSIAT has developed a funding decision framework that identifies Near Term Actions for NEP investment that support and accelerate habitat protection and recovery.
Advancing Recovery through Implementation Strategies
Implementation Strategies are plans for achieving specific ecosystem targets for the Puget Sound Vital Sign indicators. The Habitat Strategic Initiative focuses on Land Development and Cover, Floodplains, Estuaries, and Shoreline Armoring Vital Signs
Habitat SIAT Funding Decision Framework
This year, the Habitat Advisory Team has crafted a funding vision based on their assessment of what was the most pressing needs to advance Puget Sound recovery, the most strategic use of EPA grant funds, and leveraging momentum from current work. By using the Implementation Strategies to create a vision for NEP investments in Puget Sound recovery, the team will develop a funding recommendation of NTAs that will move the dial on recovery.
The Funding Vision Themes
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This year (2019), the HSIAT has further connected the language of the themes to the Habitat Implementation Strategies. This work clarified the vision of how the HSIAT funding recommendations support and accelerate habitat protection and restoration within the framework of the 2018-2022 Action Agenda. The result is a framework guided by Implementation Strategies that will allow the Advisory Team to assess and prioritize investments.
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Next Steps
To create the funding recommendation, the HSIAT is evaluating
a suite of Habitat-related Near Term Actions from the 2018-2022 Action Agenda,
and will identify a short-list of actions that align with the NEP funding goals.
We will then reach out Near Term Action owners on this short list with a brief
questionnaire as well as partners to understand local recovery context for
these Near Term Actions.
In collaboration with the Shellfish and Stormwater Strategic
Initiatives, Advisory Team funding recommendations will be released with a
public comment period and webinar in late 2019. We will be sure to keep you
updated as we move forward in the process!
For More Information
Click here for more information on the Strategic Initiatives and each Strategic Initiative Advisory Team.