The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is pleased to announce the 2016 Water Lease and Transfer Grant opportunity. These grants support projects that plan for or implement the acquisition of an interest in water from willing sellers for the purpose of increasing instream flow to address habitat and species conservation needs and improve water quality. Grants can fund strategic planning and development, project design, landowner outreach, and other activities associated with water acquisitions, including the cost of acquiring an interest in water and associated due diligence, and monitoring activities to ensure the interest is being maintained through time.

OWEB has contracted with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to develop, oversee, and implement the solicitation, evaluation, and review of water acquisition grants. NFWF will provide review results and funding recommendations to the OWEB Board and Agency staff. Applications must be submitted via NFWF's Online Application System no later than December 15, 2016.
Please see the attachment for application instructions and materials.

• 2016 OWEB Water Acquisition Supplement.docx
• budget & match.xlsx

Related Posts:
OWEB ~ Redistributing Taxes for Land Acquisitions & Destroying Private Property
OWEB Application Trainings Meeting Coos Bay Tuesday September 13, 2016
OWEB ~ Special Meeting on Tidegates in Salem Tuesday August 2, 2016 
USFWS ~ Beaver Slough Drainage District Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 2016
OWEB ~ County Investment Fact Sheets ‏ $14 Million for Coos County Acquisitions
OWEB ~ New GIS Resources Web Page Tracking Property Like Never Before
OWEB ~ Public "Suggestions" About Focused "Spending" Partnership Priorities
OWEB~ Byler Accepted Position at Oregon Resources Department
OWEB~Using Public Money to Restore Private Property Right Out of Existence 

FY2018 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program Grant Cycle

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is pleased to announce the FY2018 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program grant cycle. Funds are available for acquisition and/or restoration of important coastal wetlands habitat (see Attachment A).

Please review the attached CW-Program document for a timeline of important events and deadlines, the letter-of-interest process, and the pre-proposal process. Note that the letter of interest is due December 16, 2016 and should be emailed to [email protected].
Questions?
Please contact Jillian McCarthy, 503-986-0033.

• CW-Program.pdf
  
• Attachment-A.pdf
  

3 of the 11 tidegate restoration projects listed in the staff report  were implemented in Coos County. 
The project names are:
 Willanch Creek Fish Passage and Habitat Improvements – the grantee was Coos Watershed Association

North Slough Fish Passage and Water Quality Improvements – the grantee was Coos Watershed Association
 
China Camp Creek Project – the grantee is Beaver Slough Drainage District
(this project has not been implemented, yet)
 
·         Willanch Creek Fish Passage & Habitat Improvements:   $105,504
·         North Slough Fish Passage & Water Quality Improvements:   $195,514
·         China Camp Creek Project:  $1,435,000 (with implementation set for summer 2017)

For more information you can contact Mark Grenbemer, OWEB’s Region 2 Program Representative,
who is the project manager for these projects or you can contact the grantee themselves.

Related Posts:
OWEB Application Trainings Meeting Coos Bay Tuesday September 13, 2016
OWEB ~ Special Meeting on Tidegates in Salem Tuesday August 2, 2016 
USFWS ~ Beaver Slough Drainage District Meeting Wednesday, February 24, 2016
OWEB ~ County Investment Fact Sheets ‏ $14 Million for Coos County Acquisitions
OWEB ~ New GIS Resources Web Page Tracking Property Like Never Before
OWEB ~ Public "Suggestions" About Focused "Spending" Partnership Priorities
OWEB~ Byler Accepted Position at Oregon Resources Department
OWEB~Using Public Money to Restore Private Property Right Out of Existence 

See the announcement for the Draft NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) for the China Camp Creek and Winter Lake Restoration Projects below. 

The Beaver Slough Drainage District
Board of Supervisors will host a public meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. in the Owens Building Large Conference Room, 201 N Adams Street, Coquille OR 97420 to facilitate landowner and stakeholder comments.

The Draft EA and associated documents can be downloaded at:
http://www.coquilleworkinglandscapes.com/nepa---environmental-assessment-ea

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in partnership with the Oregon Water Enhancement Board prepared a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Coquille Working Landscapes Project (Project) in Coos County, OR, which is open for public review and comment until March 3, 2016.

The environmental assessment considers the biological, environmental, and socioeconomic effects of the proposed restoration.

In analyzing the impacts of Project actions, the Service considers a
no-action alternative (status quo) and a preferred alternative (habitat
restoration and tide gate replacement). The preferred alternative would integrate agricultural activities with ecosystem restoration.

This EA will result in a decision by the Service to select this document as fully meeting NEPA requirements for the preferred alternative or select a different alternative. In addition, the Service will issue a finding of no significant impact or recognize there are significant impacts that require Project activities be evaluated in an Environmental Impact Statement.

Comments must be emailed to [email protected] between February 3, 2016, through March 3, 2016, to be considered in the Service's decision-making process.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Bielski at 503-231-6758 or sarah _ [email protected].

Since 1999, OWEB has invested nearly $580 million in more than 7,900 grants to local volunteer efforts to keep Oregon’s water clean and habitats healthy. Fact sheets (updated December 2015) are now available detailing the amounts awarded to each county, broken down by grant type.  Also included are the conservation activities supported by the funds, and the number of miles and acres restored or improved through these grants. To access these County Investment Sheets, click here.

OWEB is announcing a new GIS Resources web page. Local organizations can now find web maps, GIS tools, and links to other spatial data resources. We hope that this data will help restoration practitioners in their day to day activities by providing them with up-to-date location-based data such as restoration and conservation priorities in Oregon and OWEBs Focused Investment Priority areas. 

Included on the OWEB GIS resources page is a new analysis produced by the Oregon Department of Agriculture designed to help prioritize 6th field hydrologic units throughout the state. The analysis calculated the amount of streams within each unit flowing through agricultural lands and the amount of those agricultural streams that were affected by temperature, bacteria, nutrients, sediment, and aquatic species of concern.  Each watershed was rated as a high, medium, or low priority for potential future Strategic Implementation Areas.  A web map with the data from this analysis can be found here: http://arcg.is/1GcS9Fh. If you have questions regarding Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Prioritization contact Kevin Fenn at (503) 986-6486.

OWEB’s GIS resources page can be found at: http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/Pages/GIS.aspx

Please contact Troy Wirth by email:   [email protected] or by phone:  503-986-0037 if you have any difficulties accessing the information noted above.

On October 20, 2014, OWEB will accept Restoration, Land Acquisition,Technical Assistance, Monitoring and Outreach applications. These grants support voluntary efforts by Oregonians to protect and restore healthy watersheds, including actions in support of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and the Oregon Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy.

Important Information for Restoration Applications

The Regular Grant Program offers responsive grants across the state for competitive proposals based on local ecological priorities. We’re proud that Oregon is a recipient of significant 2014 Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF) dollars. This is a testament to the great work completed in support of salmon and steelhead habitat in Oregon. NOAA’s top priority for PCSRF dollars, and OWEB’s grant award in support of that priority, is to fund on-the-ground restoration for salmon and steelhead habitat.

OWEB encourages applications to restore and enhance upland habitat, native wildlife habitat, water quality, and native fish habitat. Watershed restoration from ridge-top to ridge-top is an important component of OWEB’s mission.  While there is no OWEB preference for salmon and steelhead restoration projects, we have a unique opportunity to increase the investment in salmon and steelhead habitat projects this year because of the increased amount of PCSRF grant funds.

OWEB Applicants and Partners:

Thank you for your dedication to improving Oregon’s watersheds and natural areas. For the April 2014 grant cycle OWEB received 153 applications requesting more than $16 million. The Regional Review Teams (RRT) spent many hours evaluating applications. OWEB staff considered RRT recommendations together with funding availability and developed staff recommendations for the Board.

OWEB previously provided applicants with hard copies of all evaluations for their regions. We are now moving fully to paperless distribution of evaluations. Below are instructions for accessing electronic copies of evaluations.

Written comments are due to OWEB by 5:00 p.m. on October 10, 2014. Fax letters to 503-986-0199 or email to [email protected]. Please include the assigned number of the application being referenced.  The Board will take public comments and make award decisions at its October 28-29th meeting in Grants Pass. 

For questions about the RRT review of your application, contact your Regional Program Representative http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/docs/RPRmap_new.pdf. For questions about staff funding recommendations, contact me at 503-986-0047 or [email protected].

Lauri Aunan
OWEB Grant Program Manager

To Access Application Evaluations:

1. Access OGMS

http://apps.wrd.state.or.us/apps/oweb/fiscal/nologin.aspx

• If prompted to enter a Log-in ID and Password please use:

Log-in ID: grantee
Password: oweb

• If you already have an OGMS Log-In and Password that will also work.

2. Under ‘OGMS Menu’ choose “Current Application Evaluations and Recommendations”

3. Select the Region you wish to view by clicking.

4. Click the ‘Evaluation’ link to the right of the project name to view the evaluation.

Questions? Contact Ashley Liggett at 503-986-0056 or [email protected].

Related Posts:
NOAA Official Responds to Public Request for Answers on NMS Nomination Process
Letter to Editor---To Officials of Bandon, Discuss Coordination on the Marine Reserve 
BLM, USFWS, USFS, Using ESA to Intimidate, Bully & Threaten Citizens Rights 
Letter to Editor---Facts to Dispense with Reckless Claims of Local Paper on Sanctuary 
Federal Legislation To Protect Oceans from Executive Overreach H.R. 4988 
Alarming Article on the Encroachment of the National Marine Sanctuary
The Port Orford Reorganized Fishermen Association Opposes Marine Sanctuary 
NOAA---Implementing Presidents Ocean Zoning Plan & Expanding Marine Sanctuary
NOAA---Updates Nominating Process for New National Marine Sanctuaries 
NOAA Official Responds to Public Request for Answers on NMS Nomination Process
Wrangling Over Water~The Story of the Johnson Creek Damn in #CoosCounty 
OWEB---Taxpayers Need to Comment on Annual Customer Service Survey
OWEB---Gave Away $12 Million of Public Money Partly for Wetland Restoration
OWEB---Public Meetings in Coos County Discussing Local Projects April 28-30
OWEB---Public Comment on Rules for Watershed Council Grants by March 31, 2014
OWEB---Updating the Watershed Council Map
OWEB---Streamlined Budget Categories for Grant Applications 
OWEB---Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative RFP Released & Scheduling‏
OWEB Grant Request by The Nature Conservancy 2013
OWEB---Public Meeting Focused on Winter Lake Restoration  August 29, 2013
OWEB---Seeking public comment on now expired Salmon Season State of Emergency
OWEB---Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Watershed Council Support Update‏
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏

Citations:

• MLA style: "Wrangling over water.." The Free Library. 2007 The Register Guard 18 Aug. 2014 http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Wrangling+over+water.-a0168860264
• Chicago style: The Free Library. S.v. Wrangling over water.." Retrieved Aug 18 2014 from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Wrangling+over+water.-a0168860264
• APA style: Wrangling over water.. (n.d.) >The Free Library. (2014). Retrieved Aug 18 2014 from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Wrangling+over+water.-a0168860264

OWEB Annual Customer Service Survey Hello OWEB partners and customers,

Welcome to your annual opportunity for letting OWEB know how you think we are doing.  Please click the Survey Monkey link below and take a couple of minutes to fill out our short survey.  It’s really short-just eight questions!  Your opinion matters greatly to us and helps to shape OWEB operations.

If at all possible, please respond by August 31. Responses received after August 31 will also be accepted and compiled with future reports.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HVGKXJX

If you have questions about the survey, please email or call Troy Wirth at (503) 986-0037.

Hello OWEB partners,

At its April 2014 meeting, the OWEB Board awarded a total of $12.048 million in grants for Watershed Restoration, Land Protection, Water Acquisition, Technical Assistance, Monitoring, Outreach, and Technical Assistance for Watershed Council Action Plans.  This funding supports local, voluntary watershed restoration and protection work across Oregon and helps local economies.

Board award tables are posted on our website at  http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/docs/board/2014/April/Final_Funding_Tables_Oct_2013.pdf

Thanks to all of OWEB’s local partners who make such a positive difference for Oregon’s watersheds and communities. 

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
April 28, 29 and 30 2014

Monday, April 28, 2014
Owen Building
201 N. Adams Street
Coquille, OR 97423
Directions:
201 N. Adams Street, Coquille, OR


Pre-Meeting Town Hall Discussion
Following a tour of local projects, a subset of OWEB Board members will hold a “town hall” meeting
from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., to discuss cooperative conservation and restoration in the South Coast
area with interested community members.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014
“The Barn” Bandon Community Center
1200 W. 11th Street SW
Bandon, OR 97411
Directions: http://www.bandonbarn.com/contactus.html

Business Meeting – 8:00 a.m.
During the public comment periods (Agenda Items E and F) anyone wishing to speak to the
Board on specific agenda items is asked to fill out a comment request sheet (available at the
information table). This helps the Board know how many individuals would like to speak, and
to schedule accordingly. At the discretion of the Board co-chairs, public comment for agenda
items on which the Board is taking action may be invited during that agenda item. The Board
encourages persons to limit comments to three to five minutes.

A. Board Member Comments
Board representatives from state and federal agencies will provide an update on issues
related to the natural resource agency they represent. This is also an opportunity for
public and tribal Board members to report on their recent activities and share
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Agenda
April 28-30, 2014
information and comments on a variety of watershed enhancement and community
conservation-related topics. Information item.

B. Board Co-Chair Election
The current term of Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Co-Chair Dan Thorndike
ended in January 2014. Co-Chair Eric Quaempts will lead a discussion and vote by
Board members to elect one Board Co-Chair position for a new two-year term. Action
item.

C. Review and Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the January 28-29, 2014, Board meeting in Portland will be presented for
Board approval. Action item.

D. Executive Director Update
Tom Byler, Executive Director, will update the Board on agency business and late-
breaking issues. Information item.

E. Pending Regular Grant Applications
Introduction
Prior to hearing public comment, Lauri Aunan, Grant Program Manager, will provide
background information on the October 21, 2013, grant cycle.
Public Comment [approximately 10:10 a.m.]
This time is reserved for public comment on pending restoration, technical assistance,
monitoring and outreach grant applications to be considered for funding by the Board.
Only comments pertaining to these specific grant applications will be accepted during
the meeting. The Board will not accept any written materials at this time. Any written
comments pertaining to pending grant proposals must be received by agency staff by
the April 11, 2014, deadline. The Board encourages persons to limit comments to three
to five minutes.
Board Consideration of Pending Regular Grant Applications
The Board will consider grant applications submitted by the October 21, 2013,
application deadline for restoration, technical assistance, monitoring and outreach
grants. Proposals, supporting materials, and funding recommendations will be
discussed and acted on by the Board. Action item.

F. Public Comment [approximately 1:40 p.m.]
This time is reserved for public comment on Agenda Items G, H, I and J, as well as other
matters before the Board.

G. OWEB Effectiveness Monitoring Program
Greg Sieglitz, Monitoring and Reporting Program Manager, will update the Board on
the accomplishments and priorities of OWEB’s Effectiveness Monitoring Program. Staff
also will request the Board award funding for effectiveness monitoring of the Oregon
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and other priority initiatives. Action item.
2
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Agenda
April 28-30, 2014

H. Land Acquisition Grant Awards
Meta Loftsgaarden, Deputy Director, and Miriam Hulst, Acquisitions Specialist, will
request Board action on land acquisition grant applications that were received during
the October 2013 grant cycle. Action item.

I. Water Acquisition Grant Awards and Program Update
Renee Davis-Born, Senior Policy Coordinator, will request Board action on water
acquisition grant applications received and reviewed under the newly approved Board
guidance for water acquisition grants. Staff also will provide an update about the status
of the pilot coordinated funder framework approach and the Upper Klamath Basin
Water Lease Funding program. Action item.

J. Oregon Coastal Coho Business Plan
Meta Loftsgaarden, Deputy Director, will be joined by Krystyna Wolniakowski, Director
of the Western Partnership Office of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF),
and will brief the Board on a proposal for a joint grant-making partnership for coastal
salmon strongholds and request funding for the development of local plans. Action item.

Informal Reception – 5:00-6:15 p.m.
The public is invited to join the OWEB Board and staff at a reception
sponsored by the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance.
“The Barn” Bandon Community Center
1200 W. 11th Street SW
Bandon, OR 97411

Related Posts:
OWEB---Public Comment on Rules for Watershed Council Grants by March 31, 2014
OWEB---Updating the Watershed Council Map
OWEB---Streamlined Budget Categories for Grant Applications 
OWEB---Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative RFP Released & Scheduling‏
OWEB Grant Request by The Nature Conservancy 2013
OWEB---Public Meeting Focused on Winter Lake Restoration  August 29, 2013
OWEB---Seeking public comment on now expired Salmon Season State of Emergency
OWEB---Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Watershed Council Support Update‏
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

OWEB seeks public comment on proposed rules for Outcome-Based Watershed Council Capacity Grants until March 31, 2014.

OWEB’s administrative rules for watershed council support grants were adopted in 2004.  Since that time OWEB has held multiple listening sessions with stakeholders and worked with several stakeholder based work groups to identify policy issues and process inefficiencies with OWEB’s council support grant program. The proposed rules establish process improvements and address long standing policy issues.

In October 2013, in preparation for the proposed changes, OWEB mailed to all council coordinators and council chairs an eligibility checklist for councils to use in reviewing the council's bylaws, policies and procedures and other relevant documents.  Council are encouraged to read the Council Capacity grant guidance and use the eligibility checklist to assess the council’s readiness for the new eligibility criteria.

Changes under the proposed rules include:

• Changing the name from Watershed Council Support Grants to Outcome-Based Watershed Council Operating Capacity Grants;
  
  
• Changing eligibility requirements for who is eligible to apply for the grants;
  
  
• Outlining the Board process for merit evaluation and the process for distribution of funds; and
  
  
• Other minor changes.
  
  

COMMENT PERIOD:  The public comment period for the proposed rules begins on February 24, 2014, and will close at 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2014.  To comment on the proposed rules, please email Renee Davis-Born, with the phrase “Comments on Council Capacity Rulemaking” in the subject line, or send written comments to Renee Davis-Born at OWEB, 775 Summer Street NE, Suite 360, Salem, Oregon 97301-1290.  If you have questions concerning the rules or this process contact Courtney Shaff at 503-986-0046 or [email protected].  PUBLIC HEARING:  OWEB will hold six public hearings to receive comments regarding the proposed rules. Both oral and written comments will be accepted at the hearings.  RULES, GUIDANCE, AND OTHER INFORMATION

• Guide to Outcome-Based Watershed Council Capacity Grants.pdf
• Draft Watershed Council Capacity Grant Rules.pdf
• Draft Council Capacity Grant Guidance.pdf
• Council Capacity Grant FAQs.pdf
• Council Capacity Grant Public Hearing Agenda.pdf

NEXT STEPS March 31, 2014 Public Comment Period Ends April 1 - May 16, 2014 Respond to Public Comment: Rules and Guidance edits as needed April 29-30, 2014 OWEB Board Meeting – Update (information item only) May 2014 Rules Advisory Committee Meeting: Review any Rules and Guidance edits July 29-30, 2014 OWEB Board Meeting: Adoption of Council Capacity grant rules

Related Posts:
OWEB---Updating the Watershed Council Map
OWEB---Streamlined Budget Categories for Grant Applications 
OWEB---Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative RFP Released & Scheduling‏
OWEB Grant Request by The Nature Conservancy 2013
OWEB---Public Meeting Focused on Winter Lake Restoration  August 29, 2013
OWEB---Seeking public comment on now expired Salmon Season State of Emergency
OWEB---Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Watershed Council Support Update‏
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

OWEB is in the process of updating the Oregon Watershed Council map in preparation for launching the new Council Capacity grant program in 2015.  We would like you to review the map (at the link below) and let us know if your watershed council boundaries have changed since this map was last updated in 2010.   

How do I Review the Map

Below is the link to an online map with the current boundaries of the locally recognized watershed councils in Oregon. Please review the boundary of your watershed council to determine if it is accurate.  Within the map, each watershed council is shaded blue with areas of darker blue representing the overlapping of two watershed council boundaries.  By clicking on the polygons for the watershed council boundaries you will get an info window that will tell you the name of that watershed council.  You’ll also note that multiple info windows may be present (e.g. “1 of 3”).  You can access these additional info windows by clicking on the white arrow in the upper right of the open info window.   Also included in the map are the Oregon county boundaries and hydrography. These layers can be turned on and off by  checking the box to the left of the layer name when “Content” is selected. For the hydrography layer, clicking on the layer name will expand it to show additional features such as the  different HUCs.

Link to Map: http://bit.ly/1kMLwhm

When sending updates to OWEB please consider the following:

• Do my updated boundaries impact a neighboring watershed council?
• Does my local recognition documentation align with my watershed council boundaries?

How do I provide updated information

To provide updated map boundaries send the information to OWEB’s GIS Coordinator, Troy Wirth, at [email protected] by 5pm on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. 

Information needs to be sent in one of the following formats:

1. A shapefile of the watershed council boundary, or
2. A PDF map of the watershed council boundary

What do I do if I have Questions

If you have questions about how to review the map or how to submit updated information contact OWEB’s GIS Coordinator, Troy Wirth, at [email protected] or 503-986-0037. 

If you have questions related to Council Capacity grants please contact Courtney Shaff at [email protected] or 503-986-0046



Courtney Shaff
Grant Program Coordinator
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
775 Summer St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-1290
phone: 503-986-0046
fax: 503-986-0199
[email protected]

Related Posts:

OWEB---Streamlined Budget Categories for Grant Applications 
OWEB---Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative RFP Released & Scheduling‏
OWEB Grant Request by The Nature Conservancy 2013
OWEB---Public Meeting Focused on Winter Lake Restoration  August 29, 2013
OWEB---Seeking public comment on now expired Salmon Season State of Emergency
OWEB---Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Watershed Council Support Update‏
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

Hey Folks,

The following is an email from the Oregon Water Enhancement Board.  Inside it the agency spells out the new Budget Categories for Grant Applications.  OWEB was a partner with the USFWS in the Bandon Marsh expansion and they partnered with ODFW on the Winter Lake project.  The board is stacked with extreme environmentalists and give grants to all kinds of restoration projects.  OWEB is tightly linked to the Coquille Watershed Association(CWA).....Rob T. 

As of January 1, 2014 OWEB’s budget categories have changed for grant applications submitted to OWEB after January 1, 2014 (except for small grants, effective July 1, 2014). This email is an overview of the changes http://oregon.gov/OWEB/forms/Budget_Category_Guidance.pdf). OWEB will hold online trainings beginning January 13, 2014.  Please contact Cindy Silbernagel at [email protected] or 503-986-0188 with questions.

Reasons for Changes 
With the passage of Constitutional Ballot Measure 76 in November 2010, certain grant costs are now eligible that were not allowed under the previous Measure 66.  In addition, the Secretary of State Audits Division requested documentation to support fiscal administration costs in OWEB grants.  These items, combined with the desire of  grantees and OWEB for fewer budget categories, resulted in the streamlining of budget categories and changes to fiscal administration.  OWEB worked with a stakeholder-based work group to develop these changes.

Highlights of Changes  
The January 2014 Budget Categories Definitions and Policies will apply to grants submitted to OWEB after January 1, 2014 (except for small grants, effective July 1, 2014).  http://oregon.gov/OWEB/forms/2014-01budget_category_defs.pdf

• The number of budget categories is reduced from 17 to 8.
• For Grant Administration, applicants will select one of three billing options: 1) Direct Cost Billing; 2) Direct Cost Allocation; or 3) Indirect Costs, only for grantees with a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost rate.  OWEB will not negotiate annual, individual indirect cost rates.
• Copies of receipts, invoices or supporting documentation for amounts $250 or more are required to be submitted with payment requests. 
• Receipts under $250 must be kept on file.  OWEB will select random closed grants and request the grantee to submit for review receipts that are under $250 (excluding indirect costs charged to Grant Administration), and timesheets and payroll reports (to support salaries/wages benefits). 

The September 2006 Budget Categories Definitions and Fiscal Administration rules and policies will continue to apply to all applications submitted to OWEB before January 1, 2014 (and for small grants submitted before July 1, 2014).  For more information, http://oregon.gov/OWEB/forms/budget_categories_defs_sept06.pdf 

Training Dates 

Monday, January 13, 1pm – 3pm 
  Join Link: https://oregonconnect.ilinc.com/join/yppxzbt/czfmvhth
  Dial-In: 1-888-850-4523 
  Passcode: 765985

Tuesday, February 11, 9am – 11am 
  Join Link: https://oregonconnect.ilinc.com/join/tyrvmhk/czfmvhth
  Dial-In: 1-888-850-4523 
  Passcode: 765985

Tuesday, April 8, 1pm – 3pm   
  Join Link: https://oregonconnect.ilinc.com/join/htzjsxt/czfmvhth
  Dial-In: 1-888-850-4523 
  Passcode: 765985

All online trainings will be conducted through iLinc.  A QuickStart Guide for participants can be found at http://www.ilinc.com/pdf/documentation/Participant-Reference-QuickStart.pdf.

Courtney Shaff
Grant Program Coordinator
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
775 Summer St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-1290
phone: 503-986-0046
fax: 503-986-0199
[email protected]

Related Posts:
OWEB---Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative RFP Released & Scheduling‏
OWEB Grant Request by The Nature Conservancy 2013
OWEB---Public Meeting Focused on Winter Lake Restoration  August 29, 2013
OWEB---Seeking public comment on now expired Salmon Season State of Emergency
OWEB---Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Watershed Council Support Update‏
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

The Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative (WWRI) is pleased to announce its 2014 Request for Proposals (RFP) for community-based habitat restoration projects in Oregon and Washington.

The WWRI is a public-private partnership between Ecotrust, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The partnership focuses on restoring the major ecological processes critical to the natural function of entire watersheds. The WWRI directs funds and resources to select watersheds and restoration activities that provide the greatest opportunity for the recovery of native, anadromous salmon populations across land ownerships.

Approximately $1.2 million will be available in the 2014 funding cycle for projects within the WWRI’s Priority Basins. Please note that some changes have been made to geographic priorities, and are described in the RFP. The deadline for applications is January 9th, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. PST and awards will be announced in late March 2014.

 To learn more about eligibility and to download the RFP and application form, visit the WWRI website at www.ecotrust.org/wwri.  Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the WWRI to discuss  projects prior to submitting proposals. Please direct questions to Kate Carone, (503) 467-0814, [email protected].

Related Posts:
OWEB Grant Request by The Nature Conservancy 2013
OWEB---Public Meeting Focused on Winter Lake Restoration  August 29, 2013
OWEB---Seeking public comment on now expired Salmon Season State of Emergency
OWEB---Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Watershed Council Support Update‏
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

WASHINGTON, D.C.,  February 26, 2013 -    Today the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a hearing examining, “State Forest Management: A Model for Promoting Healthy Forests, Rural Schools and Jobs.” The hearing was an opportunity to hear from state leaders, local land managers and timber experts on the inadequacies and burdens of current federal forest management practices that have contributed to poor forest health, underfunded schools, lost jobs, and suppressed economic activities in communities near National Forests.   In comparison, state managed forests can often produce hundreds of times more revenue, from just a fraction of the land base while maintaining vibrant, healthy forests to support local communities.

Related Posts:
OWEB---Public Meeting Focused on Winter Lake Restoration August 29, 2013
OWEB---Seeking public comment on now expired Salmon Season State of Emergency
OWEB---Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Watershed Council Support Update‏
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed
Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

PLEASE MARK AUGUST 29TH FROM 6-8 P.M. ON YOUR CALENDAR AND ATTEND THIS COQUILLE VALLEY RESTORATION MEETING. 

+This may be the last effort to stop this Coquille Valley Restoration project.
 
+ Ask for the grant application, hydrology and geo-tech studies and see what this project will do to
our beautiful Coquille Valley.
 
+Ask where the NEPA or EIS study is on this project which has partial federal funding
 
+What will this project do to the best dabbling duck habitat (is it in the northwest?)
 
+What will it do to other habitat and agriculture in the Coquille Valley?
 
+Will the Coquille Restoration project end up like Bandon Marsh where mosquitos are controlling activities not only of locals but tourists in the Bandon area?  What about West Nile Virus?
 
+How will this restoration project affect adjacent landowners as well as those up Garden Valley?

OWEB to Host Public Meeting Focused on Winter Lake Restoration

 The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board will host a public meeting on August 29, 2013, from 6-8 pm at the Owens Building in Coquille, 201 N Adams Street, to discuss a request before the Board to fund a restoration project at Winter Lake. The Board will consider the funding request at its meeting in September. 
 
Restoration work proposed for Winter Lake includes reconnecting remnant stream channels to the Coquille River, planting native wetland vegetation, controlling and removing invasive species, removing interior dikes and drainage ditches, and placing large wood in streams. The proposal is being submitted to the OWEB Board for their consideration by The Nature Conservancy.
 
During the August 29, 2013 public meeting in Coquille, staff and local partners will be available to take comment and answer questions about the potential project. 
 
At their September 10-11 meeting, the OWEB board will consider a $720,000 grant request investment for Winter Lake restoration work.  A summary of public comment will be provided to the Board.  Interested parties can also provide written public comment, or comment directly to the OWEB Board at their September meeting.
 
The OWEB Board meeting is scheduled for September 10-11 in Burns, Oregon.   
For information about the Coquille public meeting, contact Meta
Loftsgaarden ([email protected]).  For information about the September OWEB Board meeting,
contact Bonnie Ashford ([email protected]). 
###

Dear Interested Party,
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) is seeking public comment on a proposed repeal of outdated rules adopted in response to a now expired Salmon Season State of Emergency.

 OWEB's Division 7 administrative rules were established in response to Governor Kulongoski's Executive Orders issued between 2006 and 2008 declaring Salmon Season States of Emergency. As the rules are currently written, OWEB can only fund projects that address the 2008 Salmon Season State of Emergency
described by Executive Order 08-10. This order expired in May 2009, thus rendering the Division 7 rules obsolete.

The OWEB Board subsequently adopted a new division of administrative rules (Division 4) that allow for development, public discussion, and approval of multiple special grant types, including future Salmon Season State of Emergency grants should the Board identify the need for such grants. The Division 4 rules
render the Division 7 rules redundant and unnecessary now and into the future.

 For the aforementioned reasons, OWEB is proposing to repeal the Division 7 rules.

COMMENT PERIOD: The public comment period for the proposed rules begins August 1, 2013 and will close at 5:00 p.m. on August 22, 2013.

The rules proposed for repeal will be available by Thursday, August 1, 2013 on OWEB's website at http://www.oregon.gov/OWEB/pages/admin_rules_statutes.aspx.

 To comment on the proposed rules, please send comments by email to [email protected], with the phrase "Comments on Salmon Season State of Emergency Rules Repeal" in the subject line, or send written comments to Renee Davis-Born at OWEB, 775 Summer Street NE, Suite 360, Salem, Oregon 97301-1290.

Related Posts:
OWEB---Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Watershed Council Support Update‏
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

From Oregon Water Enhancement Board:

OWEB invites you to provide feedback and participate in a discussion on the proposed direction for its  Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation.  OWEB’s Board will consider public input prior to making a decision, currently planned for the June 2013 Board meeting.


Feb. 20, 2-5 pm​ Best Western, Agate Beach​, 3019 N. Coast Hwy, Newport​ 

Feb. 21, 2–5 pm ​Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial Street SE, ​Salem

 Feb. 25, 3– 6 pm​ Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Frear Street, ​Roseburg ​

 Feb. 26, 2– 5 pm​ ​Riverhouse Convention Center, 2850 NW Rippling River Ct, Bend 

​Feb. 27, 2– 5 pm Sunridge Inn, 1 Sunridge Lane,  ​Baker City ​

 Feb. 28, 2– 5 pm​ ​Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N Main St, Pendleton ​

 Mar. 12-13 ​​Board Meeting Salem
​


The proposed direction for the  strategy at-a-glance
(PDF)


Proposed Direction for OWEB's  Long-Term Investment Strategy
for Conservation (PDF)


Listening Session Agenda (PDF)

Hey Folks,
People have to stay informed and the best place to do that is to attend the meetings.  The following is more informaiton on some OWEB meeting and projects...Rob T.

From OWEB:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2012 Council Support Listening Sessions, submitted written comments, and provided public comment at last week’s OWEB Board meeting in Cottage Grove. Your feedback and ideas will help inform OWEB’s future decisions on this important program. We look forward to a continued dialogue, leading up to the Board’s decisions in the spring or summer of 2014. 
 

Download materials provided at the June 16, 2013, Board meeting
Watershed Council Support Update [PDF]
Report on Watershed Council Support Listening Sessions [PDF]
Presentation [PDF]
Listening Session Comments, Final Report [PDF]

Next steps and key dates
In the upcoming months, OWEB will consider the feedback we've received so far on the proposed changes. Staff anticipate follow-up meetings with stakeholders and will develop the details of the new processes and eligibility criteria. Staff will also draft options for defining the scale of capacity grants.

• March 12-13, 2013 - Board meeting in Salem - OWEB Staff will update the Board

• June 11-12, 2013 - Board meeting in Pendleton - Staff will request Board approval to begin rulemaking, and will seek Board direction on which scale options to develop further

• July 2013 - Staff will convene a Stakeholder Rules Advisory Committee

• Spring 2014 -­ OWEB will hold public hearings around the state

• June 2014 – Proposal for Board Adoption of rule changes

If you have any questions please contact Courtney Shaff, 503-986-0046, [email protected], or Lauri Aunan, 503-986-0047, [email protected]

Related Posts:
OWEB---Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda

For the Monday, April 22, 2013, deadline,

OWEB will accept Restoration, Water Acquisition and Technical Assistance applications.  These grants support voluntary efforts by Oregonians to protect and restore healthy watersheds, including actions in support of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and the Oregon Conservation Strategy. Thank you for all that you
do for Oregon’s watersheds and communities.
1. Where to Begin.
If you're new to OWEB and our grant program, visit our website for helpful information.

 2. Plan in advance to meet the deadline.  Applications must arrive at OWEB’s Salem office by 5:00
PM, Monday, April 22, 2013. Late applications will not be accepted.
  
 
3. Contact OWEB staff to discuss your project, ask questions, and review guidance. 
For Restoration and Technical Assistance, contact Regional Program Representatives
For Water Acquisition applications, contact Renee Davis-Born at 503-986-0029.
 

4. Review OWEB’s
guidance about eligible project types and costs. 

5. Download forms & instructions from the OWEB Grant Management System (OGMS). 
Applications have changed.  You need to download the latest forms, or your application will not be accepted.
OWEB will not accept applications that use previous forms.

Access without a login and password
If you have an OGMS login and password already, when you login to OGMS, you will see the October 2012
applications listed on your home page.

 Call Dave Egleston at 503-986-0232 for questions about OGMS.

 6. Read the application’s instructions. Here are some additional important points: 

• Call Teresa Trump with application      questions: 
  503-986-0058.


• Forms change. Applications      submitted on old forms will
  not be accepted.    


• Federal reporting metrics were      updated to meet NOAA reporting
  requirements. Questions? Contact Cecilia      Noyes at 503-986-0204 or [email protected].
  


• Provide 25 copies of maps and      color photos if you want
  reviewers to consider them in reviewing your
  application.


• For all applications, follow      OWEB’s guidance regarding fiscal
  administration costs (see Fiscal      administration guidance,
  below).


• There is a $50,000 cap for      Technical Assistance
  applications, as there has been in previous      cycles. 
  

7. Fiscal administration costs in application budgets.

Under OWEB administrative rule 695-005-0030(5), allowable fiscal administration costs include accounting, contract management, and final reporting costs for the funded project; and auditing costs, up to and not to
exceed 10% of the total Board funds expended for the project. General overhead and prorated costs are not currently allowed as administrative expenses.

If a review team recommends a reduction in fiscal administration funding, or if an application requests
$15,000 or more in fiscal administration costs, or if the proposed project will be managed by a federal or state agency or local government and the applicant is requesting $8,000 or more in fiscal administration costs, OWEB may reduce that line item in the funded award, and/or will require the applicant to justify the costs by providing a breakout of estimated tasks, hours per task and costs per hour for the fiscal administration activities. Applicants
requesting large fiscal administration costs are encouraged to break out the costs in the application.

 8. ODA Weed Grants are not acceptable match for OWEB grants.
OWEB accepts all non-OWEB funds as match. 

Because Measure 76 requires OWEB to provide the grants for Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) weed grants, OWEB does not accept ODA weed grants as match. 

Related Posts:
OWEB---Proposed Direction for OWEB's Long-Term Investment Strategy for Conservation‏
OWEB---Post Listening-Session Survey Available‏
Subject: CWA meeting recap and information
Oregon Water Resource Commission approved the Integrated Water Resource Strategy
2010 Coastal Wetlands Grants
OWEB Listening Session Information & Agenda