Klickitat County is one of the recipients of state grant funds to assist improvement of salmon habitat.
Gov. Christine Gregoire announced that 28 counties will share more than $60 million, as determined by the Salmon Recovery Funding board.
"These projects are developed and supported by local watershed groups and reviewed by a panel of scientific experts to ensure that the projects funded will be the most effective in bringing salmon populations back from the brink of extinction," said Steve Tharinger, Salmon Recovery Funding board chairman. "This strategic approach, linking local priorities with scientific review, has made Washington a national model."
Since 2000, the board has awarded more than $233 million in grants, funded by federal and state dollars, for 889 projects. Grantees have contributed about $100 million in matching resources, bringing the total investment to more than $333 million.
The largest chunk, $345,602, will go to the Yakama Nation to reconnect a side channel of the upper Klickitat River, where it is currently deflected by landscaping associated with a bridge. The tribe is contributing $143,000 in funds and materials.
The other piece, $91,191, goes to the Underwood Conservation District to help with restoration on 1.2 miles of Simmons creek. The project is expected to stabilize stream banks, reduce erosion, increase infiltration and reduce sediment downstream. Underwood Conservation District will contribute $23,950 to the project.
Both projects passed through the Klickitat County technical and citizen review committees under the coordination of the Klickitat County Department of Natural Resources.
Commented