Washington: States SW Salmon Habitat gets $1 Million for land purchase & Restoration Funds

Several conservation groups in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties
received more than $900,000 combined this week for efforts to preserve
salmon habitat. The grants include nearly $400,000 for a land trust to
purchase 714 acres along the Hoquiam River.

The state’s Recreation &
Conservation Office announced the grants Friday as the Salmon Recovery
Funding Board awarded nearly $20 million to different groups
statewide. “The health of salmon populations is an indication of the
health of our environment,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said in a news
release. “These grants will not only help protect and restore our land
and water, but many will help stimulate our economy.” More than
$467,000 will go to projects on Grays Harbor through the Chehalis
River Basin Land Trust, the Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force and
the Quinault Indian Nation. The Willapa Bay Fisheries Enhancement
Group will receive about $449,000 for two separate projects in Pacific
County. The Chehalis River Basin Land Trust will receive more than
$389,000 of that funding to help purchase and preserve about 1,100
acres of surge plain along the Hoquiam River. Trust president Janet
Strong of McCleary said the grant will go a long way toward the nearly
$1.4 million project to protect vital feeding grounds near Hoquiam.
“This habitat is so valuable for salmon,” she said.
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/12/13/local_news/02news.txt

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