Impact of the FbD Grant Program
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Reducing Risk, Restoring Rivers
Since 2013, the Washington State Legislature has appropriated $283 million to support large-scale, multiple-benefit projects across the state through the Floodplains by Design grant program. These investments have reduced flood risk for 85 communities across the state while restoring over 131-miles of salmon habitat, increasing agricultural viability, and improving local economies. For every $1 invested in flood mitigation, communities save $7 in damages avoided.* The investments to date in Floodplains by Design have saved communities across the state nearly $2 billion in recovery costs or damages avoided when the next flood hits.
In addition to the outcomes highlighted in the infographics below, FbD investments are also economic drivers. For every $1 million invested in integrated floodplain management, $2.2 – $2.5 million in total economic activity is generated with roughly 80% of it staying in the county that the project is based. The State’s FbD investments are leveraged roughly 3:1 with local and federal investments, creating thousands of jobs across Washington while reducing flood risk and restoring rivers.
* Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves, National Institute of Building Sciences (fbd_communities_impact_NIBS Factsheet)
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FBD Spotlight
Char Naylor
Puyallup River
“The key to success has been the broad collaboration of the partnerships that have been forged and trust that has developed during this process. The number and scale of acquisitions already secured to effectuate meaningful opportunities for flood hazard reduction, floodplain reconnection, and farms preservation warrants continued investment into this program.”
Where FbD Has Funded Projects
Map Key
Funded in 2019
Impacts of Integrated Floodplain Management
Washington State’s investments in Floodplains by Design are helping local partners build integrated floodplain management approaches that have profound impacts on making communities safer and healthier. In addition to reducing flood risk, restoring salmon habitat, and increasing agricultural viability, FbD helps create thousands of jobs and stimulate local economies.
Accomplishments to Date
This infographic highlights the outcomes from FbD investment from 2013 through the 2023 funding cycle. Click on the graphic above to see how FbD funding has created jobs, restored rivers, improved working lands and more for over 60 communities across the state.
Program Fact Sheet
In the 2025 – 2027 funding round, the Department of Ecology has requested $84M to support 10 projects across the state. Click on this fact sheet to see how these projects leverage nearly $200M in other funding to bring significant impacts for communities, salmon, and our economy.
Impacts of Climate Commitment Act Funding
$17M IN CCA FUNDING IS SUPPORTING FOUR FLOODPLAINS BY DESIGN PROJECTS ACROSS WASHINGTON
From the Methow Valley to the Columbia Basin, and Puget Sound to the Pacific Coast, Climate Commitment Act investments in Floodplains by Design (FbD) projects are increasing climate resiliency for people, working lands, businesses, and nature.
Proactive upfront investments in climate resilience programs like FbD reduce risks from flooding and other natural disasters across the state. They also significantly reduce the costs of repairing damage and rebuilding communities after disasters occur. These efforts are essential for helping Washington’s communities prepare for the more frequent and destructive natural disasters predicted to occur in most of our state’s river basins.
See How Communities are Creating Resiliency
This infographic highlights the outcomes from FbD investments from $17.4 million in Climate Commitment Act funding in the 2023 – 2025 biennium.
Partner Testimonials
Read the testimonials from our partners, Laura Watson, Director of the Department of Ecology, Douglas Woodruff Jr., Chairman of the Quileute Tribe, and Elaine Placido, Executive Director of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership.