Funding announced by Sen. Murray includes $1 million for salmon habitats in Olympia, nearly $1 million for shoreline conservation in Puget Sound, among other projects
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced just over $3.38 million in federal funding for projects to restore salmon habitats, improve climate-resilient infrastructure, and develop shoreline infrastructure across Washington state. The funding, issued by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), comes from the appropriations bills Murray authored and passed for fiscal year 2024 and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law she supported, and will advance the design of coastal habitats, reduce flood risks in wetland habitats, increase summer water availability, and create long-term shoreline and estuary restoration solutions, among much else. The grants announced today were awarded to key projects in Olympia, the Puget Sound, the lower Deschutes, Baker Bay, Hobuck Beach, and Lake Ozette.
“Washington state is home to some of the most important coastal and wetland ecosystems in the entire country, and I work hard every year to secure as much federal funding as I can to protect and restore them,” Senator Murray said. “This investment will be put to great use on habitat restoration and climate resiliency projects across Washington state to help communities stay safe from flooding and ensure the ecosystems they rely on can thrive for generations to come.”
The funding was awarded to the following projects in Washington state:
$1,000,000 for the Washington Department of Enterprise Services to restore the Deschutes Estuary and improve salmon habitats in Olympia. This project will restore 260 acres of estuary habitat at the mouth of the Deschutes River in Olympia, Washington. The project will reduce flood risk, increase climate resilience and improve habitat for salmon and other species while maintaining transportation connectivity. The grant is supported by $9,000,000 in matching funds.
$999,000 for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop planning resources for armored shoreline conservation in the Puget Sound. This project will build program capacity to convert hardened shorelines to more resilient nature-based solutions in Puget Sound. The project will develop tools, engage communities and design pilot projects to incentivize the conversion of armored shorelines to more natural solutions. The grant is supported by $153,000 in matching funds.
$499,500 for Olympia Ecosystems to enhance resilience through wetland restoration and reforestation in the lower Deschutes River. This project will reduce flood risk, increase summer water availability, and enhance salmonid rearing habitat in lower Deschutes River. The project will develop design alternatives to restore natural processes through floodplain reconnection and enhancement, wetland restoration and reforestation at scale. The grant is supported by $1,750,000 in matching funds.
$450,900 for the Pacific Conservation District for the preliminary design of shoreline restoration and erosion stabilization for Baker Bay in Pacific County. This project will develop 30 percent designs for erosion control and conduct a geotechnical assessment along the lower Columbia River to protect Highway 101 and public lands from present and future water levels. The project will protect U.S. Route 101, public parks and private properties while improving conditions for shorebirds and salmon species. The grant is supported by $16,200 in matching funds.
$110,900 for the Makah Tribe to create final designs for restoration at Hobuck Beach in Clallam County. This project will advance preliminary designs to a final design package for approximately 0.15 miles of beach habitat using a dynamic cobble berm, sand nourishment and engineered log jams. The project designs will protect critical infrastructure from coastal erosion, provide long-term shoreline restoration, and improve the ecological, economic and aesthetic functions of the site.
$323,000 for the Wild Salmon Center to develop designs to restore fluvial processes for Lake Ozette in Olympic National Park. This project will develop engineering designs to restore fluvial processes and improve climate resilience for critical sockeye salmon habitat in Lake Ozette. The project will result in 60 percent designs and permitting requirements for the removal of an abandoned railroad segment and replacement of a fish barrier culvert, restoring access to 1 mile of stream and floodplain habitat. The grant is supported by $7,500 in matching funds.
Senator Murray has been a consistent advocate for wildlife and habitat restoration across Washington state — including securing key funding for habitat restoration and salmon recovery in the draft appropriations bills for fiscal year 2025. In that legislation, Murray secured $80 million for the Pacific Salmon account at the National Marine Fisheries Service, and $70 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund — a $5 million increase to each respective program over fiscal year 2024 funding levels; $1 million to support the Northwest Straits Initiative; $6 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to improve salmon and steelhead facilities on the lower Snake River and Columbia River Basin; and $63.836 million for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, which plays an important role in Washington’s salmon recovery efforts.
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