The StreamBank Solution

Restoring health to our freshwater ecosystems is doable, but we must dramatically accelerate the pace and expand the scale of on-the-ground restoration work. StreamBank efficiently moves projects forward, accelerating timelines and expanding scale by freeing resources. It is an innovative, web-based tool that engages 21st century technology to address a 21st century problem. By bringing system and policy changes and automation to the way landowners and restoration professionals access funding and complete restoration permits, StreamBank advances one-stop shop efficiencies that reduce transaction time, coordinate and leverage funders and fill funding gaps in underfunded projects. But StreamBank is not only important to clean water, strong fish populations and healthy, resilient habitat; StreamBank also provides a positive impact to local communities and economies. Restoration work provides local, family-wage jobs, infuses local businesses with material and supply purchases and connects communities to the fundamental relationship between people, land and water.

So, how does StreamBank work? Working with landowners, local restoration professionals initiate a restoration project by going to a website and answering a series of project-specific questions. StreamBank then matches this information to a science-based prioritization scheme as well as agency and private funder criteria. The web tool also generates a budget and RFPs for local contractors and fills out the appropriate forms for permitting. Funds are advanced quickly, and as part of the overall project life cycle, StreamBank requires and funds project monitoring and reporting that measures project effectiveness and greatly reduces paperwork. The result: restoration projects that formerly took years to complete can be accomplished in a matter of months.