Skagit groups catch $2.8 million in salmon recovery funds

By Ken Stern

OLYMPIA – Four Skagit County organizations won $2.8 million in grants, 5.6% of the $50.3 million the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board awarded for 145 projects across the state to improve habitat for salmon, steelhead and bull trout, the board announced Sept. 30.

Almost half ($21.6 million) was funded through the Climate Commitment Act and targeted restoration of shorelines and riverbanks – riparian areas – essential to salmon. Forested riparian areas create micro-environments shading and cooling waters; roots and branches create pools and other insect attracting habitats. Forests slow and filter out stormwater pollution before it enters waterways.

The remaining $28.7 million in grants approved were funded by the state Legislature and the federal government through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.

"These grants are crucial to salmon recovery work in Washington," said Gov. Jay Inslee in the press release. "Without this funding, we'd have no chance of returning salmon to healthy, harvestable levels. The Climate Commitment Act is helping us go bigger and faster all across the state. It will take all of us pulling together to change the fate of salmon, which is inextricably linked to Washington's economy and quality of life."

Grants were awarded in 29 of Washington's 39 counties.

Snohomish County organizations and tribes won eight grants for $2.86 million.

Tribes and organizations in Whatcom County won four grants for $1.7 million.

Skagit County projects

Skagit Land Trust's $1.1 million grant is for conserving land in the Skagit River watershed. Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group won four grants for $664,062 for controlling knotweed on the upper Skagit River, $234,769; restoring the banks of the upper Skagit River, $225,000; restoring Debay's Reach, $119,385; and finding fixes for the Pressentin side channel, $84,908. Seattle City Light's $559,594 grant will conserve habitat in the Skagit River watershed.

Skagit River System Cooperative has three grants for $469,700: $189,000 for restoring the Skagit River watershed; $142,800 to restore the riverbanks in Rasar State Park; and $137,900 to plant the banks of upper Martin Slough.

$216.3 million funding requested

In addition to the $50.3 million in grants awarded, the salmon board approved another $23.8 million in projects that could be funded if the Climate Commitment Act remains after the November election and $166 million in projects that will be submitted to the Legislature for funding consideration next year. When combined, the board approved an unprecedented $216.3 million in salmon recovery projects.

"This is a large amount of funding, and if it is all approved, we'll be able to take some big steps forward in our recovery efforts," Jeff Breckel, chair of the salmon recovery board, said in the press release. "When we restore salmon habitat, we also are restoring our waters, forests and shorelines – multiplying the benefits of salmon recovery many times over. We end up with more resilient land and water, reduced flooding, more salmon for tourism and the fishing industry, and more jobs in local and rural communities. It's a win for all of us."