Geographic Programs - Puget Sound Protection and Restoration: Tribal Implementation Assistance Program

Puget Sound has been designated as one of 28 estuaries of National Significance under §320 of the Clean Water Act. The goal of the National Estuary Program is to attain and maintain water quality in designated estuaries that would assure protection of public water supplies and the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife and allows recreational activities in and on the water. The Puget Sound National Estuary Program's EPA- approved Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) is the Puget Sound Action Agenda. The Puget Sound Action Agenda charts the course to recovery for this estuary of national significance–it complements and incorporates the work of many partners from around Puget Sound to describe regional strategies and specific actions needed to recover Puget Sound. These strategies and actions provide opportunities for federal, state, local, tribal, and private entities to better invest resources and coordinate actions. The EPA is committed to supporting implementation of the Puget Sound Action Agenda, which includes efforts to protect the watersheds and waters of Puget Sound by protecting the fundamental watershed processes that provide and create aquatic habitats and by reducing the generation and release of toxic, nutrient, and pathogen pollution. The Puget Sound Protection and Restoration: Tribal Implementation Assistance Program is aimed at assisting the Indian Tribes of the greater Puget Sound basin in their efforts to carry out work critically needed for Puget Sound protection and restoration. This work includes activities identified in, or consistent with, the Action Agenda such as efforts called for by established salmon recovery plans in the Puget Sound basin. EPA has a trust responsibility to Federally recognized Indian Tribes. EPA also recognizes that Federally recognized Indian Tribes in the greater Puget Sound basin have a critical role in the protection and restoration of the ecosystem and its resources. EPA seeks to provide financial assistance to these Tribes to help them implement priority strategies and actions in or consistent with the approved Clean Water Act §320 CCMP for Puget Sound. Program has considered relevant approaches to achieving the intended goals and objectives of the program consistent with statutory requirements. Puget Sound Tribal Capacity (non-competitive) cooperative agreements are funded to support each eligible Tribe and Consortium to participate in the Puget Sound Management Conference, depending on appropriations. Eligible tasks include representing tribal interests in Management Conference forums and processes and other activities such as identifying limiting factors to habitat protection and salmon and shellfish recovery. Tribal Implementation Lead (competitive): This cooperative agreement was competed and is funded with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for five years, to support eligible subawards with Puget Sound tribes. Work includes watershed and marine/estuary habitat restoration projects. Many of these projects will directly address salmon and shellfish recovery.