A federal grant exceeding $35 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) is expected to help boost Oregon’s efforts to restore Pacific salmon and steelhead stocks.
The award from the program, considered essential to preventing extinction of 28 listed salmon and steelhead species on the West Coast, was announced Aug. 21 by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, both D-Ore.
Grants include $22.25 million to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; almost $6.9 million to the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission;
$3.6 million to the Coquille Indian Tribe, and almost $2.43 million to the Klamath River Inter-Tribal Fish and Water Commission.
The funding comes from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
“Oregon’s salmon population is critical in sustaining our commercial and recreational fisheries and empowering the well-being and cultural heritage of tribes who have been here since time immemorial,” Merkley said.
“This federal funding will support the restoration of Oregon’s vibrant salmon runs by repairing and reviving their water habitat,” he added.
Wyden said in a statement that “Salmon are synonymous with Oregon, and that historic connection to jobs, recreation and natural treasures deserves protecting and enhancing for generations to come.”
The senators also noted that over $3 million in federal funds are going to the Klamath Basin to support recovery and restoration efforts for salmon and ongoing Klamath Dam removal efforts.