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U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell announced that Washington state will receive over $16.5 million in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for projects restoring and opening habitat for several endangered species of salmon, reconnecting tidal floodplain habitats and removing marine debris.
“I applaud NOAA’s decision to seriously invest in protecting our endangered salmon and restoring floodplains,” said Cantwell. “NOAA received 814 proposals requesting more than $3 billion in funding, demonstrating the increased demand to restore and protect our nation’s coasts. This demonstrates the importance of Washington’s coasts and will prevent future flooding and re-create natural habitats. Also, these projects will create at least 115 jobs and safeguard many jobs already in existence.”
These projects are slated to receive funding:
Upper Skagit Indian Tribe ($988,915) – Reconnect 140 acres of forested floodplain habit and install woody debris for Chinook, Coho and Steelhead Salmon
The Nature Conservancy ($5,207,300) – Restore 60 acres of the Skagit River floodplain to replace outdated agriculture floodgates and restore 13 miles of critical habitat for the Chinook, Chum and Coho salmon
Tulalip Tribes of Washington ($2 million) – Restore 350 acres of wetland on the lower Snohomish river to fish passage for Chinook salmon by removing leaves, excavating channels and planting native vegetation and leaves
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe ($2,003,653) – Restore the floodplain of the lower Elwha River through the removal of dikes and culverts, re-vegetation and invasive species control
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Foundation ($4,595,369) – Removal of over 200 metric tons of marine debris, including net removals, in Puget Sound
Lummi Nation ($1,733,803) – Raise a roadway to reconnect tidal exchange for 490 acres of Smuggler’s Slough channel, which will flow to a restored salt marsh and eelgrass habitat in Lummi Bay.
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