NOAA Fisheries has awarded USD 103 million (EUR 89 million) to support fisheries habitat restoration projects throughout the United States.
The funding will be distributed across 16 projects selected by NOAA Fisheries. The agency said it selected projects that restore habitat – or access to habitat – necessary for the nation’s fisheries.
“By supporting America’s fisheries, these projects will ‘Make America Beautiful Again’ through proactive, voluntary, on-the-ground collaborative conservation efforts,” NOAA Fisheries said in its announcement. “America’s abundant natural resources – including valuable commercial and recreational fisheries – are vital to our nation’s economy and culture, bolstering industries, jobs, recreation, and more.”
The agency noted that more than 350 proposals were received, cumulatively requesting USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.3 billion) in funding.
Selected projects include:
- USD 5.1 million (EUR 4.4 million) to the Knik Tribe to restore fish passage for Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon;
- USD 7.9 million (EUR 6.8 million) to Trout Unlimited to restore fish passage in the Chena River watershed in Alaska;
- USD 5.4 million (EUR 4.7 million) to California Trout to reconnect floodplain habitat for coho salmon along the Klamath River;
- USD 8 million (EUR 6.9 million) to the California Department of Water Resources to restore fish passage for salmon and sturgeon;
- USD 8 million (EUR 6.9 million) to the University of Georgia to restore salt marsh nursery habitat for shrimp, oysters, and shellfish;
- USD 8.5 million (EUR 7.4 million) to the Papahanaumokuakea Marine Debris Project Inc to restore coastal habitat at Tern Island;
- USD 1.4 million (EUR 1.2 million) to the Nez Perce Tribe to restore fish passage in the Lolo Creek watershed;
- USD 1.1 million (EUR 950,000) to the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians to restore habitat for lake sturgeon and Arctic graling;
- USD 7.7 million (EUR 6.7 million) to Trout Unlimited to restore habitat in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior;
- USD 10 million (EUR 8.7 million) to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to restore tidal marsh habitat in Liberty State Park;
- USD 6.1 million (EUR 5.3 million) to The Freshwater Trust to restore salmon and steelhead habitat in the Sandy River Basin;
- USD 5.9 million (EUR 5.1 million) to the Wild Salmon Center to restore coho salmon habitat along the Oregon Coast;
- USD 6.9 million (EUR 6 million) to the Institute for Socio-Ecological Research to restore coral reefs;
- USD 9.9 million (EUR 8.6 million) to Ducks Unlimited to restore marsh habitat for shrimp, oysters, and redfish in the Galveston Bay watershed;
- USD 7.2 million (EUR 6.2 million) to Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group to restore Chinook and steelhead floodplain habitat in the Mid-Columbia River; and
- USD 4.2 million (EUR 3.6 million) to the Skagit River System Cooperative to restore fish passage for Chinook salmon in the Similk Estuary.
