October 2001, Volume 1, Issue 3

ANNOUNCING: IMPORTANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Grants

The Challenge Cost Share (CCS) program for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (NHT) was approved for fiscal year 2002. The program provides matching funds to non-federal organizations for projects that provide new or enhanced opportunities for protection, interpretation, or recreation at sites or segments on the Lewis and Clark NHT. The program requires that NPS dollars be matched on a one for one basis with non-federal monies, and/or donated time and in-kind service. Maximum amount for each project is $250,000 of NPS funds.

The application form is available at the NPS web site: http://www.nps.gov/lecl/grants.htm. To discuss a project, contact Trail Manager Richard Williams or Program Assistant Midori Raymore at 402-514-9311. Applications should be sent to: National Park Service, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, 1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, NE 68102.

Applications must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2002. Do not send extraneous information such as resumes, project reports, planning documents, or letters of reference or support. Only the information required on the application form will be considered in the evaluation process.

Washington Community and Tribal Assistance Program BPA Sponsored

The Washington State Agency Assistance Team is developing grant application guidelines and award criteria for a new funding program being sponsored by the Bonneville Power Administration. Application information will be provided to the public in the November electronic newsletter. Applications will be due in mid-February 2002.

AmeriCorps*Vista: A Human Resource

The mission of the AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program is to engage Americans in community service activities designed to address issues of poverty and poverty-related problems by generating private sector resources, encouraging volunteer service at the local level and strengthening the capacity of local organizations and agencies to meet the needs of low-income communities.

What is AmeriCorps*VISTA?

AmeriCorps*VISTA is a full-time, full-year service program for men and women ages 18 and older funded by the Corporation for National Service, an independent federal agency. Members serve at programs managed by public agencies or private, nonprofit organizations, helping them expand services to people in economically disadvantaged communities.

How might AmeriCorps*VISTA be a resource for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial?

Members of the program can work on bicentennial efforts related to the following:

• Leverage resources (including volunteers, funds, supplies, etc.),
• Develop educational programs,
• Assist local communities in developing economic development plans,
• Strengthen coordination efforts both locally and nationally, or
• Ensure that the communities involved are informed and included.

Members of the program can’t:

• Serve in a purely administrative capacity,
• Replace an otherwise existing staff position, or
• Proselytize or lobby.

For the complete guidance regarding project sponsorship criteria, please refer to the following web site: http://www.americorps.org/resources/fed_regs.pdf

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

November 6 - 19, 2001
Next Round of Lewis and Clark Trail Interpretive Waysides Project Public Meetings:

Tuesday, November 6, 2001, 6:30-8:30 pm
Clarkston, Walla Walla Community College
1470 Bridge Street

Wednesday, November 7, 6:30-8:30 pm
Richland, CREHST Museum
95 Lee Boulevard, Off George Washington Way

Thursday, November 8, 6:30-8:30 pm
Lyle, Lyle Full Gospel Assembly
715 Washington Street

Tuesday, November 13, 6:30-8:30 pm
Vancouver, WSDOT Regional Office
11018 NE 51st Circle

Wednesday, November 14, 6:30-8:30 pm
Kelso, County Administration Building
207 4th Avenue N., 3rd Floor Gen. Meeting Room

Monday, November 19, 6:30-8:30 pm
Long Beach , Super 8 Motel
500 Ocean Beach Boulevard

November 13, 2001
Agency Assistance Team Monthly Meeting
10:00 am to 1:00 pm, Washington State History
Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA

November 15 - 17, 2001
Lewis and Clark: New Perspectives on an Historic Journey
Center for Columbia River History Program
Ridgefield, Washington For more information, contact:
360-992-1821, areidell.ccrh@pdx.wantweb.net

Thursday, November 15, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Lewis and Clark Water Trail Meeting
Hampton Inn, Richland, WA
486 Bradley Blvd, Riverview Room
For more information, contact:
509-527-7133
phil.e.benge@usace.army.mil

April 10 - 12, 2002
National Bicentennial Conference
Lewiston, Idaho - tentatively will include mobile workshops/tours in southeastern Washington
Look for more information in upcoming newsletters.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2005
Destination Pacific 2005 - Bicentennial Signature Event
Pacific County, Washington and Clatsop County, Oregon
Look for more information in the future.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

Every month, Washington’s Lewis and Clark Bicentennial E-Newsletter will feature a different website link. This month, check out the website on the Lewis and Clark Trail maintained by the National Park Service for a wide variety of trail-related information, including a description of the Corps II project:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PLEASE LOOK for additional information and updates on Bicentennial planning activities and projects in next month's e-newsletter.

ALSO - if you have articles or news-worthy information that you would like to contribute to this e-newsletter or to Washington’s quarterly bicentennial newsletter, please Contact Mandi Roberts at Otak 206-442-1369 or mandi.roberts@otak.com.

JOURNAL REFLECTIONS

With the coming of October and November, we reflect on the time the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent in this region 196 years ago. On October 31, 1805, William Clark wrote:

"I proceeded down the river to view with more attention [the rapids] we had to pass on the river below…the Great Shute [later called the Cascades of the Columbia by pioneers] which commenced at the Island on which we encamped continued with great rapidity and force thro a narrow chanel much compressd. and interspersed with large rock for ½ a mile, at a mile lower is a verry considerable rapid at which place the waves are remarkably high, and proceeded on in a old Indian parth…thro a thick wood & hill Side, to the river where the Indians make a portage..."

The Washington State Historical Society, lead agency of the state’s Agency Assistance Team (AAT) for bicentennial planning, will notify you of this newsletter via e-mail on a monthly basis to provide updates on events, projects, and activities going on around the state in preparation for the commemoration.

Your name is in the state's Lewis and Clark Trail database as someone who has expressed interest in the bicentennial and/or who has attended public meetings during the past three years. If you do not want to continue to receive notification of this newsletter and/or other bicentennial communications, reply to this e-mail or contact Jean Peterson at the Heritage Resource Center 360-586-0219.

The AAT will continue to publish and mail out the quarterly "hard copy" newsletters in addition to this electronic communication.