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Watershed Council Support Grants
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Article Content
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| Latest Council Support News |
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At OWEB’s March 2012 Board meeting, the Board approved the following actions related to watershed council support:
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To waive OWEB’s rules for Council Support application requirements, evaluation criteria, and grant evaluation process for the 2013-2015 council support application cycle and approved the transition process described below for the 2013-2015 biennium.
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The Board signaled its intent to award 2013-2015 Council Support funds at the June 2013 Board meeting, at the same funding level as councils received in 2011-2013, dependent on OWEB’s legislatively adopted budget.
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The Board decided not accept requests for solo funding, Council Support applications from the 2011-2013 “do not fund” councils, new applicants, or Council Support applications from currently or previously funded applicants that wish to reorganize into a new applicant for 2013-2015, and give notice to councils of this decision.
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The Board directed staff to develop details of the Work Group Outcome Based Review and Award Process and hold listening sessions in preparation for changes to the program which will be complete by January 2015.
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| 2013-2015 Transition Timeline |
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| June 2013 | OWEB Board awards 2013-2015 council support funds,
dependent on OWEB’s legislatively adopted budget.
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Staff and the Subcommittee will review any performance concerns and develop special conditions for the awarded funds, including potential termination of funding.
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Staff will review council budgets, proof of match, and an updated council officer contact list.
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Because OWEB’s rules on watershed council eligibility are based in statute, councils must submit and OWEB staff will review
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An updated council membership list which OWEB will review to ensure the council has a balance of interests and
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An updated map to verify the council’s boundary has not changed. Councils do not have to resubmit local recognition information, unless it has changed since January 2009.
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Existing grant agreements will be amended to extend grant end dates to June 30, 2015, add special conditions as determined by staff and Subcommittee, and add the 2013-2015 funding.
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| August 2013 | Councils must submit to OWEB: |
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A 2013-2014 work plan.
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Reports for period 2011-2013, including documentation of communication with the council’s recognizing local government, Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund reporting, and fiscal reporting.
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| July 2014 | Councils must submit to OWEB their progress reports (2014-2015 work plans).
OWEB staff anticipate work plans and progress reports will be important to the future, streamlined Outcome Based Review and Award Process in which councils are evaluated based on demonstrated progress.
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| Important Information |
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Current OWEB Watershed Council Support Grantees
Watershed Councils with current OWEB Watershed Council Support grants will not have to submit a Watershed Council Support grant application for the 2013-2015 biennium. In addition councils will be able to carry-over 2011-2013 unspent council support funds into the 2013-2015 biennium. As we draw closer to the end of the biennium OWEB will communicate regularly with councils regarding reporting deadlines and the materials that will be required to be submitted prior to grant agreements being amended with the 2013-2015 council support funding.
Watershed Councils without a current OWEB Watershed Council Support Grant
Watershed Councils without a current OWEB Watershed Council Support grant will not be able to apply for OWEB Watershed Council Support funds in 2013-2015 during the Transition Biennium. These councils continue to be able to apply for OWEB regular and small grants.
Over the coming months OWEB staff will continue to work out the details of the proposed Outcome Review and Award Process and will engage councils in discussions around the proposed changes. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions around any of the proposed changes related to council support or the transition biennium.
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| Council Support Awards |
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At the Septemer 13-14, 2011 Board Meeting, the Board approved an additional $1 million for Watershed Council Support Grants, bringing the total investment in local capacity of watershed councils to $6.1 million.
Download an updated Council Support award document that shows the total award amounts for the 2011-2013 biennium for each council here:
2011-2013 Council Support Board Awards (PDF)
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| Additional Resources |
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Additional resources for watershed councils and information on 2009-2011 final reporting (more).
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| Administrative Rules |
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OWEB's administrative rules address: (1) eligibility criteria, (2) watershed council support grant application requirements, (3) the criteria used to evaluate watershed council support grant applications, and (4) the process used to evaluate watershed council support grant applications and make funding recommendations.
Watershed Council Support Administrative Rules (Adopted September 2004, PDF)
View complete copies of the Administrative Rules for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, or Division 40, Watershed Council Support. (located on the Secretary of State Web site)
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| Contacts |
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Contact Courtney Shaff, (503) 986-0046, for more information.
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