Wetlands Protection and/or Restoration Grant

Eligible Entities

Entities eligible to apply for this Protection and/or Restoration of Wetlands funding include:

1. Public/Governmental - State of Utah agencies, Tribal governments, local governments (e.g., municipal, county, or other political subdivisions of the state) or federal agencies.

2. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – Non-profit organizations registered as Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

3. Private landowners, private entities, or institutions of higher education (whether governmental or private) – Only eligible if working in partnership with a public/governmental entity or a non-governmental organization (i.e., category 1 or 2 above), and if the public/governmental entity or non-governmental organization serves as the Lead Project Applicant (“Lead Applicant”).

Projects may have multiple partners, but one entity must take on the responsibility of the Lead Applicant.

Process & Timelines

The application period begins with the release of the request for applications and concludes with notification of the awards for successful projects. A description of key milestones in the application period is provided below.

Review Process for Funding Applications 

• August 15, 2024: Public release of the Protection and/or Restoration of Wetlands funding request for applications.

• October 7, 2024: Application closing date.

• Mid-November to Mid-December: End of evaluation period and notification of successful Lead Applicant(s).

Applications that meet all eligibility requirements and Required Criteria will undergo a detailed review by a Technical Review Committee (TRC) comprised of several Utah natural resource experts.  The TRC will score each application based on their performance against the Required Criteria and the TRC will make funding recommendations for GSLWET’s nine-member Trust Advisory Council (TAC). The TAC will consider these recommendations, approve projects that receive funding from GSLWET’s funding pool, and make recommendations to FFSL on what projects should receive funding from FFSL’s funding pool. FFSL will retain the authority to make any final decision concerning project awards to be funded by FFSL. Projects may receive funding from both FFSL and GSLWET which will require separate contracts and reporting.  Successful Lead Applicant(s) will be notified at the conclusion of the evaluation process.  A final list will be posted once all project award contracts/agreements are completed 

Incomplete applications will not undergo a detailed review and will be considered only as Indications of Interest.

Process for Application Submission

To receive an application, budget template, and conflict of interest form, email gslwet@audubon.org. Once completed, submit your applications via email to gslwet@audubon.org.  If your application package is too large for email, please send a link to a shared folder (Box.com or similar) to allow the reviewers access and download materials.

More Information

Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

A list of the Technical Review Committee Members can be found here.

Indications of Interest

If you have an idea or concept for a Wetlands Protection and/or Restoration Project, but it is not at a stage that would support an application for funding at this time, GSLWET is seeking high-level Indications of Interest for future Wetlands Protection and/or Restoration projects that benefit the hydrology of Great Salt Lake. Such information will help inform understanding of future funding needs. Indications of Interest are not eligible to receive awards of funding for 2024.

Parties interested in providing an Indication of Interest should email gslwet@audubon.org with your name, paragraph detailing the project, and an estimated project cost.

Background

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (“FFSL”) has direct management jurisdiction over lands below the Great Salt Lake meander line. FFSL recognizes the importance of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem, including resource values and uses outside of the meander line that affects or are affected by actions on sovereign lands. Accordingly, FFSL considers it imperative that the management of Great Salt Lake includes coordination with all partners above and below the meander line. During the 2024 Legislative General Session, FFSL received $5 million to be spent on the protection and/or enhancement of wetlands for the benefit of Great Salt Lake.

The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (“GSLWET” or the “Trust”) was established in January 2023 pursuant to the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program (Utah Code Title 65, Chapter 16 (the “Act”) with $40 million in Utah State funding. The primary purpose of the Trust is to enhance water quantity and water quality for Great Salt Lake and its wetlands, as well as protect and restore wetlands habitats to benefit the hydrology of Great Salt Lake. The Trust is co-managed by National Audubon Society’s Saline Lakes Program (Audubon) and The Nature Conservancy in Utah (TNC), with oversight from the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. A nine-member statutorily defined Trust Advisory Council advises on matters related to the mission and objectives of GSLWET, plays an important role in helping set the strategic direction of the Trust, and approves major Project proposals.

The Act provides that no less than 25% (or $10 million) of the funding will be used “to protect and restore wetlands and habitats in the Great Salt Lake’s surrounding ecosystem to benefit the hydrology of the Great Salt Lake.” 

Additional Questions? Email us at GSLWET@audubon.org