Restoring Rivers: Stream Barrier Removal Grants

American Rivers and NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program River Grants
Next Proposal Deadline: April 1, 2008

Past Grantee: Watch the "Dam Removal on the Eightmile" video clip with Laura Wildman, Director of River Science for American Rivers. View the Deficient Dams map

Since 2001, American Rivers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Community-based Restoration Program have provided financial and technical assistance for river restoration projects benefiting diadromous fish species in the Northeast (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI), Mid-Atlantic (NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD, DC, VA), Northwest (WA, OR, ID) and California. [Diadromous fish migrate between freshwater and saltwater during their life cycle. Examples include alewife, American shad, American eel, salmon, steelhead and shortnose sturgeon.]

During the first six years of the partnership, the program has provided more than $2 million to support 100 community-driven river restoration projects that have benefited diadromous fish populations and habitats throughout the country.

For fiscal year 2008, NOAA has awarded American Rivers $600,000 to distribute through this competitive grants program. Stream barrier removal projects in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northwest and California are eligible to apply. This funding is provided through the NOAA Open Rivers Initiative, which seeks to enable environmental and economic renewal in local communities through the removal of stream barriers and realized benefits to diadromous fish species. 

Eligible applications will be evaluated based upon four priority criteria: (1) ecological merits of the project, (2) technical feasibility of the project, (3) benefits provided to the local community, and (4) financial clarity and strength of the application. 

Grants are provided for three distinct project phases: Feasibility Analysis, Engineering Design and Construction. Average grants will be $25,000 - $50,000. Successful applicants for one project phase will not be eligible to receive additional funding for that same project phase in future grant rounds. See the Funding Guidelines (below) for additional details. 

The next proposal deadline is April 1, 2008.  

• River Grant Announcement (PDF)
• Application for Financial Assistance (PDF)
• Funding Guidelines (PDF)
  

Click here for more information on the NOAA Community-Based Restoration Program and its partners.

Questions? Contact:
Serena McClain, American Rivers
1101 14th Street, NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-7550 x3004
rivergrants@amrivers.org