Natural Resource Stewardship Program

Public Works | Natural Resources Division

Free grant funds available to help you improve the streams of Skagit County!

The Skagit County Natural Resource Stewardship Program (NRSP) is designed to improve water quality in Skagit County streams by furthering community awareness and inspiring landowners to participate in protecting and enhancing water quality for the benefit of all the citizens of Skagit County.

NRSP funds are available throughout the entire county. This program provides funding for streamside landowners willing to enhance their watershed with small riparian, fencing, and fish habitat restoration projects. This program is voluntary and will not require match or the taking of any property.

This program works in conjunction with many partners including the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group and Skagit Conservation District.

Apply for an NRSP project

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does NRSP work with?

Anyone that has property adjacent to a stream or waterbody that flows to the ocean, even if it goes dry in the summer!

What is the purpose of NRSP?

To protect the water quality within Skagit County. We do projects that address temperature, bacteria in the water, erosion, and others. These projects can remove invasive vegetation, plant native vegetation, install livestock exclusion fencing, install livestock crossings, protect eroding banks, complete manure storage bins, and much more!

What do I have to agree to?

NRSP is a voluntary program. The minimum width from the stream is 35 feet. You need to agree to letting County staff or our sub-contractors on your property for a period of 10 years to install, maintain, and occasionally monitor the project.

You said you need 35 feet. What does that mean?

The 35 feet is measured from the bank of the stream in the location that it is flowing during a typical winter flow (this is called bankfull or the “channel forming” width). We have worked with folks to average if that width isn’t possible in some locations. If you have more blackberries than you know what to do with, we can go larger than 35 feet, too!

What can I expect if I reach out?

County staff will respond to you to get an understanding of what you’re hoping to accomplish on your property. Then we’ll schedule a site visit to discuss in person and see the property.

We will create a restoration plan with your input. If you don’t like cottonwoods, ok! Or you really want flowering shrubs, that’s fine too! As long as we can meet our goals of 30% conifers and all the plans are native, typical riparian plants, we can work with you on the final design. Then we schedule site preparation which typically occurs in late summer. Depending on the amount of noxious weeds, sometimes we do two seasons of treatment and sometimes we can get it in just one.

We follow up site prep with planting which occurs between October and February. Then we provide three years of maintenance, including mowing and spot spraying.