Streamside Plant Grant Program

Grant Program Overview:

The City of Corvallis Stormwater Program aims to educate and engage citizens in improving water quality through pollution prevention, best management practices, and stewardship of local waterways. Funded by stormwater utility fees, the Streamside Plant Grant is available to Corvallis residents committed to protecting local streams and enhancing water quality. Trees and shrubs in riparian areas (the interface between land and streams) play a crucial role in reducing water temperature through shading and evapotranspiration, stabilizing soils, preventing stream bank erosion, providing wildlife habitat, slowing water flow to reduce bank erosion, and filtering stormwater via roots that enter the stream through groundwater flow.

Goals of the Program:

Support and incentivize landowners on or near streams to become better stewards of their property.
- If you rent property in Corvallis check with the property owner before applying.
Increase appropriate riparian vegetation to improve water quality, streamside habitat, and bank stability.
Enhance stream conditions by reducing water temperature, stabilizing soils, preventing erosion, providing wildlife habitat, and filtering stormwater.

Program Details, including information about eligibility, amount of grant, application process and future steps can be found here: Plant Grant Program Flyer

Program application can be found here: Plant Grant Application

How much is the Plant Grant?

$300/year: Each residence can receive up to $300 worth of native riparian plants each fiscal year. Funds are limited, so get your applications in early.

What is included besides the $300?

Plant Delivery: Plants will be transported by City staff to your residence. Site Visits: There will be initial and follow-up site visits to provide recommendations on what plants to use, where to plant them, and how to install them.

How do I know if I am eligible?

To be eligible for the grant, you need to meet the four criteria listed below.

Residency: You must be a resident or property owner in Corvallis.
Planting Site: The planting site must: Be on or near an urban stream within the Corvallis Urban Growth Boundary (map of the Urban Growth Boundary)
Maintenance Commitment: You must commit to: Spring weeding around the Plant Grant vegetation. Summer watering for the first 3-5 years (plant establishment phase). Fall replacement of any awarded plants that die (you may apply for the grant again the following fiscal year for replacements). Signing an agreement to perform the listed maintenance.
Grant Frequency: You are only allowed one Plant Grant Fund award per residence each fiscal year (from July 1 through June 30). Therefore, you cannot have already received Plant Grant Funds for the current fiscal year.

Application Process:

Review Resources: The first step is to review planting and bank stabilization methods. A list of links can be found at the bottom of this page.
Review Costs (approximate):
- $6.99 for 4 inch pot of Juncus patens
- $45 for 5 gal pot of Big Leaf Maple
- $1.99 for 1 gal Pacific Willow 3.
Submit your Application: Application found here. Submit your application via email (pwesra@corvallisoregon.gov) or By mail (ESRA Plant Grant Public Works, 1245 NE 3rd St, Corvallis, OR 97330). Applications due by Friday, July 29th
Schedule a Site Visit: Public Works Stormwater Program staff will contact you to arrange a site visit to assess: hazardous riparian processes (e.g., bank erosion), inappropriate planting areas (e.g., over utility lines), optimal planting locations and the number of plants needed, and a timeline for planting and maintenance.

When will I know if I was awarded a $300 Streamside Plant Grant?

Applicants will be contacted after their site visit and Public Works Stormwater Program staff have determined that your site does qualify for the grant.

Then What?

Now you get to select plants! Visit a nursery to get ideas of what kind of plants you want. Keep track of the size of the container and type of plant. There are many Willamette valley native plant Guides available. Here are a few: Willamette native plants and Water Efficient Plant Guide for Willamette Valley . Then, contact Public Works Staff via email with the following information:

Names, pot sizes and quantities of each plant.
Desired delivery date and location (Fall delivery is preferred).

Grant Program Requirements:

The maximum grant award will not exceed $300 worth of plant materials and the types and quantities of plants awarded will be determined by City of Corvallis Stormwater staff after a site visit has been arranged. Plant choices will also be influenced by grantee preference and level of investment to maintain and irrigate new plants to healthy maturity.
Funding is available only for native riparian plants. Funding is not available for additional technical assistance, labor costs, or equipment. All plants provided through grant funds will be purchased directly by City of Corvallis.
There are a limited number of grants available, making this a competitive grant application. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to being stewards of their local waterway.
A maximum of one grant may be awarded per landowner per fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th).
Applicants will be asked to sign an agreement to irrigate and otherwise maintain new plants for two years or until native plants mature.
Those who are not awarded funds are encouraged to reapply in subsequent years. All applicants will be notified of outcomes and feedback will be available about ways to strengthen future applications.
By completing this application, the applicant agrees to a pre- and post-installation site visits by City Stormwater Program staff and will adhere to the guidelines established by the City of Corvallis Stormwater Program.