Wetlands Protection and/or Restoration Grant

The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (“GSLWET” or the “Trust”) was established in January 2023 pursuant to the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program (Utah Code Title 65, Chapter 16 (the “Act”) with $40 million in Utah State funding. The primary purpose of the Trust is to enhance water quantity and water quality for Great Salt Lake and its wetlands, as well as protecting and restoring wetlands habitats to benefit the hydrology of Great Salt Lake. The Trust is co-managed by National Audubon Society’s Saline Lakes Program (NAS) and The Nature Conservancy in Utah (TNC), with oversight from the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL). A nine-member statutorily defined Trust Advisory Council advises on matters related to the mission and objectives of GSLWET, plays an important role in helping set the strategic direction of the Trust, and approves major Project proposals.

The Act provides that no less than 25% (or $10 million) of the funding will be used “to protect and restore wetlands and habitats in the Great Salt Lake’s surrounding ecosystem to benefit the hydrology of the Great Salt Lake.” 

GSLWET is seeking applications from Eligible Entities for “Wetlands Protection and/or Restoration” Projects (“Projects”). In 2023, GSLWET will consider awarding up to $10 million for such projects, depending on the number and quality of applications received; however, the amount awarded may be less. Future funding availability is currently unknown. While there is no specific cap per project or application (within the $10 million overall program funding), GSLWET will prioritize project award funding for up to two (2) years of project activities. Not all applications will receive funding and some applications may only be awarded partial funding.

 The application period will open on July 19, 2023 and will close at midnight Mountain Daylight Savings Time on September 15, 2023.

Project proponents will have an opportunity to submit either a Funding Application or an Indication of Interest during the application period.

Entities eligible to apply for this Protection and/or Restoration of Wetlands funding include:

1. Public/Governmental - State of Utah agencies, Tribal governments, local governments (e.g., municipal, county, or other political subdivisions of the state) or federal agencies.

2. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – Non-profit organizations registered as Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

3. Private landowners, private entities, or institutions of higher education (whether governmental or private) – Only eligible if working in partnership with a public/governmental entity or a non-governmental organization (i.e., category 1 or 2 above), and if the public/governmental entity or non-governmental organization serves as the Lead Project Applicant (“Lead Applicant”).

Projects may have multiple partners, but one entity must take on the responsibility of the Lead Applicant.