||| FROM FOX13 SEATTLE |||
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) announced on Monday more than $28 million in funding for three projects in Washington state aimed at restoring habitats for threatened salmon species.
The grants, awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Program, were secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
“These grants will help build vital habitat for endangered salmon in the Puyallup River Basin, Whidbey Basin, and Queets-Clearwater watershed,” said Cantwell in the news release. “The projects will bring back natural features like log jams and river channels that protect young salmon as they grow and help restore our natural ecosystems, tribal and other fisheries, and Puget Sound orcas.”
Sen. Murray emphasized the importance of salmon to Washington state’s economy and culture. “Salmon play an absolutely critical role in Washington state’s economy, culture, history, and traditions,” said Murray. “The funding we secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as the additional funding I’ve secured as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is going to make a huge difference as we work to restore these critical salmon habitats. I’m thrilled these grants are finally making their way to Washington state and I’ll continue to fight to strengthen federal investments to save our salmon.”
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Thanks to Senator Murray and Cantwell and the Biden administration! This is a big win for Salish Sea salmon. Although none is directed at the San Juans, there has been State money. The Conservation Land Bank has used over $2 Million in state salmon recovery grants to secure natural habitat for stream restoration at our Coho Preserve, and eel grass habitat protection at Presidents Channel and Watmough Preserves, and recently, with our partners at the Preservation Trust, another $3 Million for the new North Shore Preserve. Shoreline land and marine habitat together.