Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board

Notice

Invitation to Apply

The Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board (CFPAB) is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted from March 15th 2020 to May 15th 2020 at 5:00 p.m. for potential funding assistance from the Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program. The CFPAB anticipates application review at the June 2nd and 3rd 2020 board meetings and recommendation to the Snohomish County Council in June 2020. Successful program funding is available on a reimbursement basis. It is anticipated that approximately $1.9 million dollars will be available during this grant round for distribution to eligible organizations/jurisdictions per Snohomish County Code Section 4.14.

**PLEASE NOTE** Due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, the application review process may be adjusted to eliminate portions of the outlined schedule (e.g. site tours) and/or complete portions of the process by an alternative mechanism (e.g. distance meetings).  The need for revised processes will be evaluated in May and information provided to applicants regarding any changes to the review process.

Application Updates 

Please note the following significant changes in the Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program (SCCFP) grant process:

• A Preliminary Title Report is required with all applications, for each property proposed to be acquired.
• Applicants may be determined ineligible for application for SCCFP funding if they are determined to be out of compliance with prior SCCFP projects (see Allocation Policies).
• Funding for awarded projects will be provided on a reimbursable basis only, following project completion, and will be limited to the amount allocated by the County Council, or that percentage of the total project cost, as indicated in the original grant application for Conservation Futures funding, whichever is less. Documentation of match and total project costs will be required. Exceptions to the requirement that funding is provided as a reimbursement may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. If this is an anticipated need, applicants should check with staff prior to applying.

Allocation Policies

• Snohomish County will allocate Conservation Futures Program funds on a competitive basis through an application and evaluative project selection process.
• Matching funds are encouraged but not required.
• Funding to successful awardees is provided only on a reimbursable basis once the project is complete. Extensions to this policy may be considered on a case-by-case basis and applicants should check with staff prior to applying.
• Projects may be funded at a level below the amount requested by the project sponsor, as recommended by the Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board (the "CFPAB) and forwarded through the Snohomish County Executive to the Snohomish County Council for review and final consideration for funding approval.
• Prior fund recipients that have been determined to be out of compliance with project Interlocal or Acquisition Agreements and/or property Conservation Easements, shall not be eligible to apply for additional funding until the compliance issue(s) have been corrected to the satisfaction of Snohomish County.

Application Submission & Due Date

Grant applications and accompanying attachments must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. May 15th 2020. Submissions received after this time will not be accepted. Final grant applications can be submitted by mail, or via hand delivery, using information provided on the Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board webpage. If submitting by mail, the submittal must be postmarked by the submission deadline. Submittals shall consist of eight double sided copies of the application along with one digital copy (.pdf).

Grant Application Package

The grant application package can be downloaded here:

1. Grant Application Package (DOC)

About the Board

The Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program was started in 1988 as a way to distribute Conservation Futures Property Tax Funds as authorized by RCW 84.34.230. The purpose of this funding is to acquire interests, or rights, in real property for the preservation of open space, farm and agricultural land, and timber land per SCC 4.14.010. These resources are available through the County’s authority to levy up to six and one-quarter cents per thousand dollars on all taxable property within the County for the purpose of acquiring open space.

The Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board (CFPAB) makes recommendations to the Snohomish County Council for projects to be funded as part of the Conservation Futures Program, and develop strategic, long-range plans for the program. Recommendations from the CFPAB are forwarded to the Snohomish County Executive for transmittal to the County Council for final action. The CFPAB consists of the County Executive (or designee); two members of County Council; one elected official selected by all cities and towns whose population base, independently, is 10,000 or greater, one elected official selected by all cities and towns whose population base, independently, is less than 10,000, and two members representing citizens of Snohomish County. Board members serve four-year terms.

Since 1988 over $80 million dollars has been expended to acquire land or easements throughout the county by Snohomish County, cities and towns and eligible non-profit organizations, as allowed by state law.

Contact David McConnell by phone at 425-388-6627 or by email at david.mcconnell@snoco.org for more information.