Freshwater Algae Control Grant Program

The Freshwater Algae Control Grant Program is administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology through its Water Quality Program. The program was established to address harmful cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater systems, which can pose serious risks to public health, aquatic ecosystems, and local economies. Cyanobacteria, often referred to as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that affect humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife. The program provides financial assistance and technical support to public entities working to manage and mitigate these harmful algal blooms across Washington State. The program operates under an annual funding cycle and is supported through the aquatic algae control account, which is funded by a fee collected through vessel registrations. The Department of Ecology administers these funds and prioritizes projects that address lakes with documented harmful algal blooms within the past three years. The program emphasizes improving water quality, protecting public health, and supporting long-term ecological sustainability through targeted interventions and monitoring efforts. Funding is available for a range of project types, including lake cyanobacteria management planning, implementation of control and education projects, and applied research initiatives. Eligible activities include freshwater algae monitoring programs, nutrient reduction strategies, public education and outreach, pilot and demonstration projects, and the purchase of sampling equipment. Projects must demonstrate a clear connection to managing or preventing harmful algal blooms and are evaluated based on criteria such as scientific integrity, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability. The grant program does not require matching funds, reflecting a policy change beginning in State Fiscal Year 2026. Individual grant awards are capped at $50,000 per project, and the total funding available for each annual cycle typically ranges between $100,000 and $200,000 depending on legislative appropriations. Projects may span up to three years from the effective date of the grant agreement, and all expenditures must comply with state procurement, environmental, and reporting requirements. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, state agencies, federally recognized tribes, and special purpose districts. The program is not open to private organizations or individuals. Applicants must submit proposals through the Department of Ecology’s online grants management system and provide detailed project descriptions, budgets, and supporting documentation. Applications are reviewed through a competitive process and scored against established evaluation criteria, including the severity of the algae problem, expected public and environmental benefits, and readiness to proceed. For the most recent funding cycle, applications opened on October 15, 2025 and closed on December 16, 2025. Following submission, applications were screened for eligibility and evaluated by Ecology staff. A draft funding offer list was expected approximately two months after the deadline, with final awards announced by July 1, 2026. Selected applicants entered into a negotiation phase to finalize grant agreements before project implementation. The program is expected to recur annually, with similar timelines anticipated for future cycles. Program oversight includes ongoing monitoring, reporting, and compliance requirements. Grant recipients must submit regular progress reports and reimbursement requests through the Ecology Administration of Grants and Loans system. Projects involving environmental monitoring must develop and obtain approval for a Quality Assurance Project Plan prior to data collection. The Department of Ecology also conducts site visits and requires final reporting upon project completion. For additional details, applicants may contact the program manager, Joseph Teresi, via email or phone as listed in the program materials.

Focus on demonstrating clear water quality impact, strong scientific approach, and measurable outcomes; prioritize lakes with recent harmful algal blooms