Geographic Programs - Puget Sound Action Agenda: Technical Investigations and Implementation Assistance Program

The SILs, in coordination with the Puget Sound Partnership, the EPA, the Riparian Lead, and other relevant parties, provide the following roles: (1) Award and manage subawards to support the implementation of the Action Agenda with a focus on Implementation Strategies, and maintain Strategic Initiative Advisory Teams (SIATs) to advise in investment-related decision-making; (2) Serve as Implementation Strategy Leads for Vital Signs related to the Strategic Initiative and form technical (e.g., Interdisciplinary Teams) and/or policy workgroups to develop, refine, adaptively manage and operationalize Implementation Strategies; (3) Participate in Puget Sound Partnership and National Estuary Program Management Conference processes and work groups; and (4) Proactively coordinate with Local Integrating Organizations and tribal partners to accomplish SIL work. In addition a base grant provides support to the Puget Sound Partnership in its role as a backbone organization for maintaining the leadership functions and coordination of the Puget Sound NEP, including: (1) providing program level financial oversight and demonstrating sound fiscal practices; (2) researching funding opportunities; (3) providing program match for local and tribal capacity grants; (4) administering the Partnership’s Boards and partners in the update of the Action Agenda; (5) supporting direct public engagement; (6) coordinating and implementing a strategic science program to support Puget Sound ecosystem recovery; (7) conducting ecosystem assessment and monitoring; and (8) coordinating reporting on outputs and outcomes. The main deliverables include an updated CCMP/Action Agenda for Puget Sound for 2026-2030 and identifying and convening the network of partners to implement and monitor that plan. Sub-recipient activities include: (1) supporting ten Local Integrating Organizations to help coordinate planning and implementation activities at county and watershed scales; (2) supporting implementation science; (3) advising on social approaches; and (4) focusing monitoring on local coastal areas across the seven counties in north Puget Sound including the island and Strait of Juan De Fuca counties.