To support US west coast salmon and steelhead populations, NOAA Fisheries has recommended US$106.1 million in funding for 16 new and continuing programmes and projects through its Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Grant Program.
NOAA Fisheries distributes funds to states and tribes through the programme. Eligible projects include all phases of habitat restoration and protection activities to recover Pacific salmon listed under the Endangered Species Act or support Pacific salmon and steelhead species important to tribal treaty and trust fishing rights and native subsistence fishing.
Since the programme’s inception in 2000, the grant programme has provided more than $1.7 billion to implement over 15,000 salmon recovery projects. It’s estimated that partners have protected, restored and created nearly 1.2 million acres of salmon habitat and have made over 11,800 stream miles accessible to salmon and steelhead.
“This targeted funding could not come at a more crucial time,” said Jennifer Quan, Regional Administrator in NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. “With climate change exerting increasing impacts, we are proud to partner with states, tribes and communities to reopen and restore the habitat that affords salmon the resilience they need to survive and thrive. We will work together to make the most of these dollars to do the most good for salmon.”
In fiscal year 2023, NOAA is recommending $64.2 million in annual appropriation funding, including $34.4 million under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $7.5 million under the Inflation Reduction Act, for 16 new and on-going salmon recovery programmes and projects.
Recipients include the states of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California and federally recognised tribes of the Columbia River and Pacific Coast (including Alaska) or their representative tribal commission or consortia.
“We’re very happy to be able to provide more funding to bolster salmon science and management in Alaska,” said NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Administrator Jon Kurland. “The additional recommended funding for our state and tribal partners is an important boost that will support sustainable salmon populations and Alaska Native subsistence fishing opportunities.”
