Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen today applauded more than $14 million in recovery funding for salmon recovery, pollution reduction and habitat restoration through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the United States Department of Commerce.

“Your recovery dollars are creating jobs, reducing pollution and restoring habitat to protect Washington state for the next generation,” said Larsen. “This funding will support local, community efforts like the Northwest Straits Initiative and create jobs from Marysville to Burlington to Bellingham.” 

“These recovery projects will help keep our environment clean and our economy moving," said Senator Patty Murray. "Restoring and protecting our waterways is a priority for Washington state, and I am excited that these projects are receiving federal support.”

Today the Department of Commerce announced the following funding for Northwest Washington:

$4.6 Million for the Northwest Straits Initiative for the Removal of Derelict Fishing Gear in Puget Sound: According to the Northwest Straits Initiative, the project will create 40 living-wage jobs, restore 645 acres of marine habitat and be completed in 18 months. Since 2002, the Northwest Straits Initiative has removed over 1200 derelict fishing nets, restoring more than 240 acres of marine habitat, and saving millions of animals from incidental death each year.

 

$1.7 million for Smuggler’s Slough Nooksack River Restoration in Bellingham: According to the Department of Commerce, the funding will help the Lummi Nation raise a roadway and reconnect tidal exchange for 493 acres of Smuggler’s Slough channel that will flow to restored salt marsh and eelgrass habitat in Lummi Bay. Seven miles of slough habitat will also be opened as a result of this project.

 

$2 million for Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration in Marysville: According to the Department of Commerce, the funding will help restore 350 acres of wetland and 16 stream miles to fish passage for several species of salmon on the lower Snohomish River and its surrounding tidal floodplain by removing levees, excavating channels and planting native vegetation and trees.

 

$5.2 million for Fisher Slough Marsh Restoration in Burlington: According to the Department of Commerce, the funding will help the Nature Conservancy restore 60 acres of the Skagit River floodplain by replacing antiquated agriculture floodgates and restoring 15 miles of high quality habitat for chum, coho, threatened Chinook salmon and other important species.

 

$988,000 for Hansen Creek Floodplain Restoration in Skagit County: According to the Department of Commerce, the funding will be used to excavate and reconnect 140 acres of forested floodplain habitat and install woody debris for chum, coho, threatened Chinook salmon, and other important species.

 

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