Background

• The Habitat Protection Division is developing a proposal to establish a Cooperative Habitat Protection Program (CHP). Similar in concept to the Restoration Center program, the CHP would seek to partner with local communities, government entities and grassroots NGOs for meaningful involvement in protecting some of the most vulnerable fish habitats -- those found in the nearshore area. Unlike restoration, which addresses damage that has already occurred, a community-based habitat protection program would be proactive and preventative in nature but emphasize non-regulatory means. The Working Group's Draft proposal focuses on four areas: local partnerships, watershed planning, communication (esp. outreach and education) and technical assistance/small grants to "equip local communities with the tools and information needed to protect coastal and marine fish habitat."

Documents

• (Comming Soon)

Links

• CHP TEAM (this area requires a user name and password)
  • Draft Proposal
  • Work Group Tasks
  • Work Plan Rev. 2/3/06
  • ARA Comments
  • List of Programs and Watershed Guidance
  • CHP TEAM and Working Group Members
• Resources
  • NOAA Office of Education and Sustainable Development
  • National Fish Habitat Initiative
  • State of WA Watershed Planning Act (to enable local planning)
  • Catalog of Federal Funding Opportunities for Watershed Protection
  • Community Watershed Assessment Handbook
  • EPA Guidance on Developing Local Wetlands Projects