Dollars are available for water quality and habitat enhancement projects in the Puyallup River and Chambers-Clover watershed areas.

The Puyallup/Chambers-Clover Small Grants Program will award small grants to organizations, schools and individuals for approved projects. Grants are available for projects up to $2,500.

Pierce County Surface Water Management, Pierce Conservation District and the City of Lakewood received funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Salmon Recovery Funding Board to support a new grant program focused on improving watershed health. Proposals will be evaluated to ensure they address water quality and habitat issues through watershed education, enhancement, protection and restoration activities.

Successful applications will also support the goals outlined in the Pierce County salmon recovery strategy and the Puyallup River and Chambers-Clover watershed council action agendas. Examples of funded projects include riparian planting projects, stream clean-up events, development of educational materials or purchase of equipment and supplies for projects that benefit water quality or habitat.

All grant materials, including applications and supporting documentation, can be accessed at http://www.piercecountywa.org/srfb . The deadline for application is 5 p.m. Aug. 1. Questions should be directed to Melissa Paulson, Pierce County Surface Water Management, at (253) 798-4686 or mpaulso@co.pierce.wa.us.