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Library of Puget Sound Recovery Grant Synthesis Reports Prepared by PSI

Between 2011 and 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency distributed Puget Sound National Estuary Program and geographic funds via seven “Lead Organizations.” PSI has synthesized the results of more than 200 projects funded by three of the Lead Organizations in the ten analysis reports listed below. These syntheses have in turn informed Implementation Strategies and other Puget Sound recovery planning efforts.


The Marine and Nearshore Lead Organization was a partnership between the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Their grant program funded projects related to the protection and restoration of marine and nearshore habitats.

Part 1 Report: Effective Regulation and Stewardship Investment Area (2015)

Part 2 Report: Analysis of Invasive Species, Toxics, Oil Spill, and Integrated Risk Assessment Findings (2016)

Part 3 Report: Analysis of Stregetic Capital Investments for Habitate Restoration and Protection

Part 4 Report: Analysis of 2016-2019 Shoreline Armoring Investments

Part 1 Addendum: Analysis of 2016-2019 Regulatory Effectiveness Investments (2019)

Part 2 Addendum: Analysis of 2016-2019 Invasive Species and Oil Spill Investments

Part 3 Addendum: Analysis of 2017-2019 Capital Investments (2019)

Final Report: Synthesis of 2011-2014 Results and Key Recommendations for Future Recovery Efforts (2016)

The Watersheds Lead Organization was administered by the Washington Department of Ecology and the Washington Department of Commerce. Their grant program supported development and implementation of watershed-scale strategies for protection and restoration of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Part 1 Report

Part 2 Report

The Pathogens Lead Organization was administered by the Washington Department of Health and funded projects to prevent, reduce, and control illness-causing microorganisms. Fecal coliform, Vibrio, and marine biotoxins impair water quality and can lead to shellfish harvest restrictions and swimming beach closures.

(Analysis Report in Progress)

In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency assembled three Strategic Initiative Lead Teams to expand the planning, coordination, and grantmaking work begun by the Lead Organizations. In 2022 and 2023, PSI will synthesize and communicate results of almost 100 grants awarded by the Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead between 2016 and 2020.

Library of Puget Sound Implementation Strategy Products Prepared by PSI

Implementation Strategies are a planning tool designed to provide priorities for the Action Agenda for Puget Sound, guide funding decisions, and serve as a road map for aligning Puget Sound recovery opportunities across agencies and programs. Implementation Strategies are produced using a process created by the Puget Sound Partnership. As part of this process, PSI researchers write two technical appendices that provide program and scientific information relevant to the strategies. PSI staff also conduct analyses relating to critical uncertainties hampering the implementation and/or development of Implementation Strategies. More information about Implementation Strategies, and links to Implementation Strategy products prepared by our partners, is provided in this Salish Sea Currents article, on this Strategic Initiatives for Puget Sound webpage, and on this Encyclopedia of Puget Sound webpage.

Base Program Analysis appendices assess ongoing programs with potential to help regional partners operationalize Implementation Strategies. They are developed consistent with National Estuary Program guidance for base program analysis (EPA 1993). Findings derived from recovery grant synthesis reports are a major data source for these evaluations.

Shoreline Armoring Vital Sign Base Program Analysis (2020)

Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) Indicator Base Program Analysis (2020)

Land Development and Cover Base Program Analysis (2020)

Toxis in Fish Vital Sign Base Program Analysis (2021)

Marine Water Quality (Draft Undergoing External Review)

State of Knowledge appendices provide a technical and scientific foundation for Implementation Strategies. These reports include a compilation of research gaps and monitoring needs identified during the Implementation Strategy development process.

Shoreline Armoring Vital State of Knowledge (2018)

I-IBI State of Knowledge (2020)

Toxics in Fish State of Knowledge (2021)

Marine Water Quality State of Knowledge (Draft Undergoing External Review)

Critical Analyses and NEP Synthesis Reports advance integration of technical and scientific information into development and operationalization of Implementation Strategies.

exUGA Residential Housing Growth in the Puget Sound Region, 2011-2016 (2018)

Shoreline Loan Program Feasibility Study (2021)

Stormwater Utility Fee Critical Analysis Summary Report (2021)

Synthesis of Integrated Floodplain Management in Selected Puget Sound River Deltas (2021)

Puget Sound Land Cover Change Prediction Model (2022)

Stormwater Utility Fee Critical Analysis Data Collection (2022)

Wastewater Service Affordability Critical Analysis Data Collection (2022)

A multidecadal oscillation in precipitation and temperature series is pronounced in low flow series from Puget Sound streams (2023)

PCB Sediment Data Critical Analysis (in progress)

Wastewater Service Affordability Critical Analysis Summary Report

Critical Analyses and NEP Synthesis Reports advance integration of technical and scientific information into development and operationalization of Implementation Strategies.

Study Panel on Ecosystem-based Management of Forage Fish in Puget Sound (2013)

A causative network of Vital Signs (2017)

Enhancing the Resilience of Puget Sound Recovery: A Path Through the Maze of Resilience Thinking (2019)

Identifying Strategies Common Across Implementation Strategies (the “IS Synthesis”) (2020)

A Boundary Spanning System Supports Large-Scale Ecosystem-Based Management (2022)

Distinguishing climate change impacts from development impacts on summer low flows in Puget Sound streams (2022)

Evaluating management alternatives using social-ecological qualitative network models (QNMs) (2022)

Implementation Strategy – Ongoing Program Synthesis Data Files (2022)

Implementation Strategy – Ongoing Program Synthesis Summary Memo (2022)

Determining a rational sequence of Vital Signs for IS development

Determining a rational sequence of Vital Signs for IS development Appendix

Determining synergies and conflicts among Vital Signs and proposing two or more clustered Implementation Strategies

Determining synergies and conflicts among Vital Signs and proposing two or more clustered Implementation Strategies Appendix