Thursday October 10, 2024
La Conner Weekly News —
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.”