Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity
The UCSRB is the Lead Entity (LE) for the UC. “Lead Entities” is a term used by the state to define a county, city, conservation district, special district, tribal government, regional recovery organization, or other entity that is responsible for submitting a project list to the SRFB for funding consideration. The UCSRB is also the state-designated regional recovery organization and the LE is responsible for facilitating the process of compiling one project list and to submit that list for funding consideration to the SRFB. The UC regional approach to pursing both mitigation and recovery funds from all available sources is the result of years of collaborative work on the part of all interested parties to establish an effective and efficient process. Regional project and funding coordination is an on-going process. The details are identified from the Recovery Plan’s Implementation Schedule and developed within each of the Watershed Action Teams (WATs) in the region. The UCSRB currently facilitates two approaches to funding projects in the region: (1) targeted process of habitat programmatic funds; and (2) traditional grant applications (a.k.a. “Open 6-Step Funding Process”). The following guidance document focuses on the Open 6-Step Funding Process.
The Lead Entity (LE) Coordinator will help facilitate the movement of proposals through the review process. This includes assuring that the RTT, TRIB, and Citizens’ Committees receive review copies at appropriate times. Project sponsors should begin working with the LE early in the process to engage available services that will assist in developing competitive proposals for SRFB or TRIB funding.
Eligibility
Only the following are eligible to receive SRFB funding:
- Cities
- Counties
- Conservation districts
- Federally recognized Indian tribes
- Regional fisheries enhancement groups
- Special purpose districts
Nonprofit organizations registered with Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State. A nonprofit charter, organizational documents, or corporate purposes must include authority for the protection or enhancement of natural resources, such as salmon or salmon habitat, or related recovery activities. The charter must provide for an equivalent successor organization under the SRFB grant agreement in case the nonprofit dissolves.
Private landowners if they are private citizens and the restoration or planning projects are on their land. Individuals may not acquire land using SRFB grants. Landowner donation of time spent implementing a project may be eligible for non-reimbursable match. When receiving SRFB funding, individuals should consider any potential tax liabilities and may want to consult a tax professional or the Washington Department of Revenue for advice. Each situation is different and RCO does not provide any tax guidance.
Regional fisheries enhancement groups
Special purpose districts
A state agency with a local partner that is independently eligible to be a grant applicant. The local partner must be involved in the planning and implementation of the project, and must provide an in-kind or cash contribution to the project. This contribution does not need to be used as match (for example with design-only projects, which do not require match); however, the contribution must be documented in PRISM upon project completion. A project Partner Contribution Form must be completed and submitted with the application. Please note that state agencies were not permitted to purchase land using 2013-15 or 2015-17 PSAR funds.
Federal agencies may not apply directly, but may collaborate with eligible applicants. Projects may occur on federal lands. Consider federal restrictions on using federal money for match when applying for a grant.
*Please note there are different eligibility requirements for the Monitoring grant round. Please review Manual 18M (linked below) for details.
Guidance Documents
Application Materials
Evaluation Criteria
Targeted Investment Grant Round
The Targeted Investment (TI) program was adopted by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) in 2020, and most recently amended in December of 2025. A Targeted Investment is a high-impact project that has significant salmon recovery benefits.
The current TI grant round will run in conjunction with the regular 2026 SRFB grant round. To balance the opportunity for funding these large projects, each region may submit up to two (2) new projects for consideration, in addition to any number of resubmissions from the previous round. Eligible projects must request between $1 – $7 million.
The SRFB will review and approve ranked lists from each region in September 2026. Funding will be available no earlier than July 1, 2027 for TI projects. To ensure regional priorities are considered, points will be awarded to TI projects based on regionally assigned ranks and will contribute to the overall SRFB panel rankings.
Key deadlines for Targeted Investment applications are included on the grant schedule below.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss a potential project, please feel free to contact the Lead Entity Coordinator, Ariel Edwards ([email protected]).
TI Guidance Documents:
Schedule
SRFB and TI Schedule 2026
Key Dates/Deadlines:
*January 29 – RCO Application Workshop and Q&A (registration required)
February 10 (1-3:30pm) – UC Kick-Off Meeting
March 11 – JotForm Pre-applications Due
March 25 & 26 – Presentations to RTT
April 17 – Complete Applications due in PRISM
May 5, 6, & 7 – Site Tours
May 27 – Revised Applications due in PRISM
June 10 – RTT Scoring
June 16 & 17 – Presentations to CACs
June 22 – Final Applications due in PRISM
June 23 – Joint CAC Ranking Meeting
Please contact Lead Entity Coordinator, Ariel Edwards ([email protected]), with any questions.
