Any public, private or non-profit organization may request funds to implement fish restoration or enhancement projects with the State of Oregon which relate to the goals of the R&E Program.
- Private non-profit organizations must have tax-exempt status - 501(c)(3).
- Example of organizations that have to applied for funding are sport or commercial fishing groups, Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) regional groups, school districts, federal, state or local agencies, port districts, Watershed Councils and Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
The R&E Program grants are available to projects throughout the state that benefit recreational and/or commercial fisheries. Types of projects considered to be appropriate for funding by the R&E Program include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:
ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS (ORS 496.289(7)(a))
The enhancement program focuses on projects to increase fish production (either hatchery or natural production), increasing recreational or commercial angling opportunities or access to the fish resource, or improving fish management capabilities.
- Angler access: Improvement or creation of sites that allow anglers or commercial fishers access to fisheries (e.g., boat ramps, docks, trails, new ponds).
- New fishways and screens: Installing new fishways or screens at locations that historically have not had them.
- Habitat: Improvements to fish habitat that directly or rapidly benefit fish by addressing items such as limiting factors, which include fish carcass placement, fish passage, habitat modification, and others.
- New hatchery equipment and technology: Hatchery equipment upgrades increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of, or reduces the impacts of, hatchery operations. Can include:
- Short-term rearing programs for fish harvest,
- Rearing programs for rehabilitation of wild fish populations (e.g., conservation propagation, short-term supplementation of depleted populations), and
- Updated hatchery practices intended to achieve both conservation and utilization of fish resources (e.g., terminal fisheries, acclimation ponds, broodstock improvement).
- Aquatic Inventories: Studies that characterize populations, habitat, or the effectiveness of other projects in order to create, maintain, or enhance fish populations and therefore fishing opportunities. Includes collecting information on the physical and biological characteristics of stream, lakes, or estuaries or information on recreational or commercial use of fisheries
- Public Education: Literature, demonstrations, or displays for fishermen or landowners regarding fish, fishing, or habitat. The goal should be to increase Oregonian’s connection to, and use of, fishery resources of this state.
RESTORATION PROJECTS (ORS 496.289(7)(b)):
The restoration program focuses on Department projects to replace fish liberation equipment, repair fish hatcheries, and repair fish passage facilities and screens.
- Modification of existing fishways and existing screens: Rehabilitate, restore, or modify existing fishways and screens to maintain safe and effective passage and screening.
- Hatchery restoration: Rehabilitate, restore, or modify existing hatchery facilities to maintain safe and effective hatchery operation and production levels.
- Liberation equipment: Rehabilitate, restore, replace, or provide equipment for fish liberation.
OTHER PROJECTS:
In addition to the project types above the R&E Board has expressed an interest in supporting projects that include:
- Grassroots fishing organizations: Groups such as Salmon & Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) and other local fishing organizations.
- Multiple partners and funding sources: R&E is interested in partnering to make larger projects possible.
- New fishing: Creating new fishing opportunities
- Salmonids: Supporting salmonid fisheries
- Diversified species fisheries: Supporting species that have diversified environments, including saltwater, warm water, and lakes.
Application Process Overview
The grant review process takes approximately six months from the application deadline until funds are available.
An eight-step summary of the process:
- Complete application by deadline – grant deadlines and review schedule
- Completeness Review (Approx. 1 week after deadline)
- Internal Review (Approx. 4-6 weeks after deadline)
- Applicant Responds to Internal Review Comments (Due Approx. 2 weeks after Internal Review)
- R&E Board Meeting (Approx. 4-6 weeks after Internal Review)
- Commission Meeting (Approx. 6-8 weeks after R&E Board Meeting)
- Grant Agreement/Funds Available (Approx. 1-3 weeks after Commission Meeting)
- Project Completion Reporting (As soon as spending of RE funds is complete)
Online Application Guidance
The Restoration & Enhancement (R&E) Program uses an online application system. You will need to set up a user account. If necessary a paper application can be requested. While the application system is fairly self-explanatory a Project Proposal Information Packet is provided above and is a good reference to review before beginning your application. Before applying ensure that your projects meets the definition of either restoration or enhancement as described above.
The key to filling out the Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) grant application is to make sure someone who has no idea of the project, design, need, location, facility, fisheries, or management practices will know specifically what you are doing, why it is needed, and how it benefits anglers. R&E funds have been provided by anglers in order to improve fisheries. Proposals should clearly demonstrate they provide a benefit to anglers. Grant awards are evenly split between restoration and enhancement project, and are also proportional to the revenues derived from the surcharges: 9% commercial and 91% recreational.
The most desirable projects would:
- Be an identified regional or statewide priority.
- Clearly demonstrate the project is consistent with ODFW plans, policies and goals.
- Not include staff time, except in cases where the outcome of the staff time is clearly tied to the project deliverable.
- Include minimal or no administrative, project management, or overhead costs.
- Not require a long term R&E funding commitment.
- Not obligate R&E to a future commitment without identifying the future need and costs.
The fish biologist at your local ODFW district or field office and the R&E Coordinator are a great resource. They might:
- Help explain local fisheries and potential fishery benefits
- Know of opportunities to incorporate and strengthen the tie to fisheries
- Help ensure your project is consistent with agency rules, plans, and policies.
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