Projects must benefit aquatic species, wildlife or watershed health

Landowners looking for financial help to prevent erosion along streams, increase irrigation efficiency or upgrade bridges or culverts that will improve fish access should consider applying for a grant tailored for these and similar small projects.

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Small Grant Program provides up to $10,000 in Oregon Lottery funds for individual projects that help restore watershed elements such as streams or wetlands. Projects must benefit aquatic species, wildlife or watershed health. At least 25 percent of the OWEB funds must be matched from other sources. "The program is a happy marriage of on-the-ground benefits to watersheds with on-the-ground benefits to landowners," said Tom Byler, OWEB executive director.

The Luckiamute Watershed Council, as well as the county Soil & Water Conservation Districts and tribes can submit applications on behalf of landowners. The local group, the Middle Willamette West Small Grant Team, with representatives from councils, districts and tribes has established priorities for types of projects to be funded under this program in each of 28 areas within the state. The evaluation team reviews applications and forwards recommendations for funding to OWEB.

The local team has established the following types of projects as priorities:

• Instream process and function (improve in-stream habitat, manage erosion, eradicate invasive species)
• Wetland process and function (manage nutrient & sediment inputs, manage vegetation, restore wetlands, employ integrated pest management)
• Upland process and function (manage erosion, manage nutrient & sediment inputs to streams, manage vegetation, employ integrated pest management)
• Riparian area process and function (manage nutrient & sediment inputs, manage vegetation, employ integrated pest management)
• Urban impact reduction (install storm water runoff treatments, create off-channel flood storage, employ integrated pest management)
• Fish passage (remove dams, replace/remove culverts, remove/replace stream crossings)

Anyone in the region covered by the Luckiamute Watershed Council who is interested in applying should talk with Michael Cairns who serves as a local Small Grant Team representative for the Luckiamute River, Ash Creek, American Bottom and Duck Slough areas. Reach Cairns at (503) 838-4275 or LWC@wou.edu. Dorald Stoltz (503-371-7177, dorstoltz@msn.com) is the Middle Willamette West Small Grant Team contact.

Upcoming quarterly application deadlines are as follows:
Applications accepted________Review Team meetings
September 17 - 30, 2007...........October 9, 2007
December 18 - 31, 2007............January 8, 2008
March 18 - 31, 2007..................April 8, 2008

The OWEB review process usually takes less than 60 days. Successful applicants have two years to complete the funded project.