DeFazio, Schrader Announce $2.3M Grant for Habitat Restoration Projects Across Three Oregon Coast Watersheds

U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio (OR-04) and Kurt Schrader (OR-05) today announced $2.32M for habitat restoration projects across three Oregon coast watersheds: The Upper Rogue, Coos Bay, and Siletz River watersheds.

'Oregon Coast coho salmon are threatened under the Endangered Species Act' said Rep. DeFazio. 'Habitat restoration funding for these watersheds will help restore salmon populations and support coastal communities that depend on these watersheds for drinking water, tourism, recreation, and a healthy fishery.'

'With the ongoing challenges to Pacific salmon in the face of a changing climate, this restoration funding for Oregon Coast watersheds, including the Siletz River watershed, will protect and improve this critical habitat that is essential to their recovery,' said Rep. Schrader. 'The restoration projects will support continued efforts to save our native fish, like the coho salmon, while preserving and enhancing the watersheds for our coastal communities that rely on them.'

'This funding represents the shared commitment of NOAA and Oregon's congressional delegation to recover coho,' said Wild Salmon Center Coast Program Director Mark Trenholm. 'Rep. DeFazio, Rep Schrader, and our other congressional champions are key to the recovery effort. These funds will improve conditions for wild salmon and support jobs in communities that need them.'

The funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Community-based Restoration Program.

These projects will restore habitats for coastal and marine species across the nation and provide benefits for communities and the environment. The projects will also support coastal communities that rely on healthy habitats for clean drinking water, flood and storm protection, and industries such as boating, fishing, and tourism. In collaboration with NOAA, partners will use these funds to implement habitat restoration actions that will restore coastal ecosystems and contribute to the recovery, conservation, and resilience of protected species such as salmon.

The Wild Salmon Center will be awarded up to $2,321,380 over three years to implement habitat restoration projects across three Oregon coast watersheds: the Upper Rogue, Coos Bay, and Siletz River watersheds. The projects promote the recovery of Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast coho salmon and Oregon Coast coho salmon, both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.