Upper Columbia Region receives $5.07 million in salmon recovery grants

WENATCHEE — The Upper Columbia region has been awarded $5,071,069 in state grants for salmon recovery projects, as part of a $50.3 million funding initiative approved by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) for Washington state in 2024.

The Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board (UCSRB) reports that 19 projects in the region will receive funding. The grants will support initiatives aimed at restoring and protecting salmon habitats in Chelan and Okanagan counties.

Of the total regional funding, $3,549,943 will be allocated to 14 projects in Chelan County, while $1,521,126 will fund five projects in Okanagan County. The projects include riparian restoration, floodplain reconnection, fish passage improvements, and habitat enhancement.

Ariel Edwards, a spokesperson for the UCSRB, stated, "The 2024 grant round was a particularly successful one for the region, with a total of 19 projects receiving funding from the SFRB. One project fell short of its full ask by a whopping $74, but it's safe to say we're considering 2024's grant round to be a huge win!"

Currently, 14 population groups of salmon in the state are listed as "threatened" or "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act, including Upper Columbia spring Chinook.

Of the statewide funding, $21.6 million has been earmarked for projects addressing riparian ecosystems. This includes $2.18 million allocated to seven projects in the Upper Columbia region focusing on riparian functions, such as shoreline restoration, riverbank improvement, and solutions to protect streams from cattle.

The SRFB has approved a total of $216.3 million in funding for projects statewide, with $23.8 million contingent on the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) remaining in place after the November election. An additional $142.1 million for projects will be submitted for funding consideration by the state legislature in 2025.

Local organizations receiving grants include Cascade Fisheries, Chelan County Natural Resources, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation, Trout Unlimited, and the Yakama Nation. These entities will lead projects ranging from habitat connectivity improvements to riparian protection and restoration.

The selection process for these projects involves watershed-based groups known as lead entities, comprising tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. The UCSRB serves as the lead entity coordinator for the SRFB in North Central Washington, supporting local organizations in submitting project proposals.

Disclosure: The image accompanying this story was created using Adobe Firefly for illustrative purposes. Learn more about Ward Media's AI Editorial Policy.