Clackamas County Offering up to $30,000 for Local Water Quality Improvement Projects

Do you have an idea that could improve water quality in Clackamas County?

If you do (and if it's good), you have until April 27 to submit a proposal for a 2017 RiverHealth Stewardship Program grant from Clackamas County Water Environment Services (WES).

Offered to citizen groups, businesses, schools, nonprofits, students groups, faith organizations, service groups, and neighborhood or business associations within the Portland metro region, grants of up to $30,000 will be given to those whose proposals will improve watershed health, be visible to the general public, show a clear community benefit, and meet specific project-type criteria within the WES service area, which covers Happy Valley, Clackamas and parts of Milwaukie.

(To see if an area is eligible, click here for the county's CMap application, then provide an address.)

"We are trying to implement our watershed action plan," said Gail Shaloum, environmental policy specialist for WES. "(But) it's not something one agency can do … streams cross all kinds of properties."

WES often relies on help from the community because non-government groups can usually engage private landowners easier than government agencies, she said. And it's good to get the local community involved in repairing and improving their local water sources.

"Getting more people involved with (the action plan) is a great way to increase people's awareness of the things they do every day that could improve water quality," Shaloum said. "It can't be up to the government alone."

WES has budgeted for up to $240,000 in grants, pending approval by Clackamas County commissioners, meaning eight groups could receive the full $30,000.

However, it's typically more than eight, Shaloum said, because not everybody asks for the full $30,000.

For complete program information and application materials, visit www.clackamas.us/wes, or call Shaloum at 503-742-4597.

Photo courtesy: Clackamas County