Puget Sound Action Agenda - Strategic Implementation Leads

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Region 10 Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office, has released a funding opportunity to support the ongoing protection and restoration of the Puget Sound ecosystem. This funding opportunity is directed toward advancing the implementation of the Puget Sound Action Agenda for the 2026–2030 cycle and is formally titled the “Puget Sound Action Agenda – Strategic Implementation Leads.” The EPA aims to issue three awards under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), each designating a Strategic Implementation Lead (SIL) responsible for a distinct environmental focus area: Habitat/Marine, Shellfish, and Stormwater. The total anticipated federal funding for this NOFO is up to $120 million, which will be distributed among three awardees. The project period may span up to seven years, although funding will be provided incrementally based on federal appropriations and other performance factors. Each SIL will manage EPA cooperative agreements and direct investments aligned with the Puget Sound Action Agenda and associated implementation strategies. The SILs are expected to strengthen regional collaboration, engage with Tribal governments, and support the Puget Sound Partnership—the lead organization for Puget Sound recovery—as it coordinates with stakeholders at the local, state, and tribal levels. The EPA emphasizes a collaborative model of investment and action planning. Strategic Implementation Leads will be responsible for awarding and managing subawards, establishing technical or policy workgroups, and leading adaptive management of Implementation Strategies. Applications must demonstrate the applicant’s ability to fulfill this role while engaging with the broader recovery community and ensuring cross-topic coordination among the three SIL domains. Funded activities must also contribute to measurable progress toward specific environmental outcomes and utilize EPA-defined environmental metrics, such as restored shoreline mileage and harvestable shellfish bed acreage. Eligible applicants include Washington State and local governments located within the Greater Puget Sound Basin, federally recognized Tribes in the same region, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, special purpose districts, and watershed planning units formed under various Washington State statutes. Each applicant must submit only one application addressing a single program priority (Habitat/Marine, Shellfish, or Stormwater). A mandatory 50% non-federal cost share is required, and applicants must clearly detail how they will meet this requirement in their proposals. The use of federal funds to meet the match is prohibited unless otherwise authorized. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov no later than May 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET (8:59 p.m. PT). Required components include standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, a detailed project narrative, budget narrative, quality assurance documentation if environmental data will be collected, and certifications. Applications exceeding 25 single-spaced pages for the narrative section will not be reviewed. Applications must demonstrate measurable outputs and long-term outcomes, include robust subaward management systems, and comply with EPA procurement regulations. Selection of awardees will be based on the quality of the proposed activities, technical merit, past performance, ability to manage subawards, and incorporation of adaptive management and resilience strategies. Notification of selection is anticipated in May 2026, with formal awards expected by June 2026. Awards are cooperative agreements, meaning substantial involvement from the EPA is expected throughout the performance period. The EPA reserves the right to adjust funding based on available resources and may issue additional awards if future funds become available.

Highlight clarity, demonstrate strong subaward systems, integrate with Action Agenda, and emphasize adaptive and resilient implementation strategies.