America Rivers will receive $651,038 in the first of the three years project to remove a diversion dam and restore the river channel in Washington’s Middle Fork Nooksack River, aiding recovery of Chinook salmon, steelhead trout and coho salmon, and the southern resident killer whale.
Also a first year recipient, Rogue Basin Partnership will receive $341,000 to remove barriers to fish migration across the Rogue River basin in Oregon, increasing habitat for southern Oregon and northern California coho salmon listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This is a three years project.
A grant of $449,608 over two years to the Columbia River Estuary study task force will restore two sites in Cathlamet Bay, Oregon, as part of a larger, ecosystem-based effort to address factors limiting the recovery of salmon in the Columbia River. Restoration will improve the quality of and access to habitat for Chinook, chum, coho, steelhead, and sockeye salmon.
The Wild Salmon Center will promote recovery of southern Oregon/northern California coho salmon and Oregon coast cohos – both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act – through new and ongoing restoration projects in three watersheds on the Oregon coast. NOAA’s funding include a first-year award of $646,619 and the third installment of a three-year grant of $767,150.
In addition, Trout Unlimited will use a $908,112 first-year grant to restore access to over 15 miles of habitat for migratory fish by removing six barriers in the Tillamook and Nestucca watersheds.
According to NOAA officials, restoring natural stream processes and fish migration will benefit Oregon coast coho salmon, Chinook and chum salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout and several lamprey species.