On July 8, 2025, the King County Flood Control District (District) Board of Supervisors approved Resolution FCD2025-07, authorizing the distribution of more than $12.2 million in grant funding to support local watershed restoration and salmon recovery projects through the 2025 Cooperative Watershed Management (CWM) Grant Program.
Now in its 13th year, the CWM Grant Program is a cornerstone of the District’s investment in healthy ecosystems and community resilience. The 2025 grant round received 99 applications requesting over $21.5 million in funding—nearly double the amount available—underscoring the growing regional demand for environmental restoration and water quality improvements.
“This funding advances vital efforts to restore habitat, improve water quality, and support salmon recovery across King County,” said Reagan Dunn, Chair of the King County Flood Control District. “We’re proud to partner with local communities and organizations to deliver meaningful outcomes for our environment and future generations.”
The grants, which serve as a financial foundation for the four Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) in King County, will support projects and activities in the King County portions of the WRIAs, including:
- WRIA 7 Snoqualmie/Skykomish Watershed Forum: $2,521,422
- WRIA 8 Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed Salmon Recovery Council: $4,531,019
- WRIA 9 Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed Ecosystem Forum: $4,609,834
- WRIA 10 Puyallup-White Watershed Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) & Puyallup and Chambers Salmon Recovery Lead Entity: $602,318
Following a rigorous technical review process and committee deliberations within each WRIA, local advisory groups submitted recommendations for funding. The approved resolution aligns with the 2025 adopted budget and authorizes expenditure of both the current year allocation and unspent funds from previous years, totaling $12,264,593.
“By enhancing habitat for our local wildlife and reducing flood risk, the CWM Grant Program is a shining example of how science-based investments can create healthy rivers and more resilient communities,” said King County Flood Control District Vice Chair Sarah Perry. “These projects are ultimately an investment in the people of King County and the vitality of our communities.”
The program, which doubled in funding in 2020, now accounts for 70-80% of secured funds for WRIA-led restoration efforts, making the District one of the region’s most significant funders of salmon recovery and watershed health.
For more information about the King County Flood Control District and the Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program, visit: www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.
About the King County Flood Control District:
The King County Flood Control District is a countywide special purpose district created in 2007 to provide flood risk reduction capital projects and programs to the residents of King County. The King County Flood Control District is building a future to withstand flood risks where thriving King County communities and healthy ecosystems coexist in harmony with area rivers. It will accomplish this vision by implementing flood risk reduction policies and projects to protect life and property while advancing various benefits including equity and social justice, sustainable livelihoods, habitat protection, salmon recovery, recreation, and resilient communities.