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Community
Watershed Stewardship Program
Mission To support salmon sustainability through the promotion, initiation, and implementation of projects that restore, maintain, and enhance watersheds in SE Alaska in order to protect the economic and social well being of the region and its local citizens. Project Introduction Southeast Alaska Salmon Resources Community watershed based efforts are critical to long-term salmon health and success. The challenge is to sustain healthy and biologically diverse salmon ecosystems in SE Alaska and the human use of wild salmon, on which the region's economic, social, and cultural fabric is based. Community Involvement The loss of Pacific Salmon in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California came one small development at a time over a period of several decades. Alaska wants to avoid repeating the habitat degradation mistakes of the Pacific Northwest. One key aspect of ensuring long-term survival of the wild salmon fishery in Southeast Alaska is engaging communities in planning and conservation of watershed resources. This can happen through the development of Watershed Councils. Positive Attributes of Successful Watershed Projects Successful watershed efforts around the country have several things in common:
Southeast Conference Community Watershed Project The Community Watershed Project will provide funding and technical assistance to four new Watershed Councils in Southeast Alaska over the next four years through a comprehensive solicitation process. Watershed Council groups not selected are still eligible to receive technical assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other resource agencies. The Community Watershed Project will be targeted to priority watershed areas, cooperative efforts, and should involve integrated and coordinated approaches to resource conservation.
Two Watershed Councils or partnership groups are active in Southeast Alaska: the Mendenhall Watershed Partnership in Juneau and the Klawock Watershed Council on Prince of Wales Island. Through the Community Watershed Project, the Southeast Conference is encouraging the formation of four additional watershed councils. Southeast Salmon Sustainable Funds Southeast Conference will receive $700,000 over a four year time-frame to provide funding and other resources to help develop four Watershed Councils in Southeast Alaska. Members of the Southeast Conference Watershed Committee will assist in development of the councils through watershed prioritization and other technical assistance. Technical Assistance Various state and federal agencies will provide technical expertise on specific projects. Project development, planning assistance, and coordination of agency technical assistance will be provided by the NRCS Watershed Program Coordinator (Samia Savell, (907) 586-7220), Southeast Conference RC&D Coordinator (Eric Decker, (907) 523-2310 extension 22) and the Southeast Conference Assistant RC&D Coordinator (Paul Coffey, (907) 826-5690). Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ADEC will receive funding from the SSSF for staff to work on storm water management and a best management practice program. A portion of this staff position will be dedicated for assistance to the Community Watershed Project. Implementation of the Project 1. Management and Administration Southeast Conference will manage and administer the project through the cooperative agreement with ADF&G. The agreement will provide project description and meet reporting and monitoring requirements consistent with the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Program. 2. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game The ADF&G will provide funding to Southeast Conference for the project. ADF&G will also provide technical assistance for two committees, the Southeast Conference Watershed Committee and the Technical Advisory Subcommittee. Responsibilities of each of the committees follow. 3. Watershed Committee The purpose of this committee is to provide oversight and guidance for the project. The committee will have several functions, including determining watershed priorities in Southeast Alaska, reviewing community and potential Watershed Council funding requests, and helping ensure that the goals and objectives of the project are met. All decisions by the Watershed Committee are recommendations to the Southeast Conference Board of Directors. The Watershed Committee will have representation from the Southeast Conference, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Representatives from other agencies and organizations may be considered by Southeast Conference. 4. Technical Advisory Subcommittee A Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TAS) may also be formed to assist communities, watershed councils and other groups with identifying needs, council formation, developing local watershed plans, initiating monitoring, and project development.
Tasks
and Timeline Task
2 - Working with Communities
Qualified applicants include watershed councils, incorporated communities, community associations, Tribes, public schools, colleges, and other non-profits. The following types of organizations can not apply for funding but may partner or assist with technical and/or financial assistance: federal agencies, state agencies, for-profit businesses or organizations, and individuals.
The Community Watershed Project committee members are soliciting Letters of Interest from qualified applicants that would like to receive technical and financial assistance in creating and maintaining Watershed Councils in Southeast Alaska to protect and restore salmon habitat. Only four new watersheds will be selected under this project for potential Watershed Councils to receive both financial and technical assistance. Others not selected will still be potentially eligible for technical assistance by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and possibly other resource agencies. Letters of Interest should include information (if available) on the following watershed selection criteria:
Letters of Interest with the requested information should be addressed to Eric Decker, Southeast Conference RC&D Coordinator, P.O. Box 21989, Juneau, Alaska 99802. Completed Letters of Interest must be postmarked by December 6, 2002 to be considered for the Southeast Conference Community Watershed Project.
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Southeast Conference