For Immediate Release

November 25, 2003

STATE TO RECEIVE $5.1 MILLION
IN COASTAL WETLANDS GRANTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has awarded grants totaling $5.1 million to fund six coastal wetlands projects in Washington State that will have a significant impact on long-term conservation of wildlife and habitat, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said.  

            Awarded through a competitive nationwide program entitled "National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants," the agency annually recognizes projects that involve the acquisition, restoration or enhancement of wetlands in coastal or shoreline areas.  Rep. Dicks, the ranking Democratic member of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, said that funding for the program is generated through excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels, deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.  

            This year, the agency is funding a total of 20 projects in eight states, totaling $17 million, with the largest share coming to Washington State.  "Multiplying the federal government's impact in these conservation efforts will be the leveraging of state and private funding through these six grants in our state," Rep. Dicks said.

            The congressman noted that the six grants will be supplemented by $3.4 million that will be contributed to the projects from state and private sector sources. 

            "This is a very positive sign of the intensive cooperation that exists in our region as well as the commitment to preserve wildlife and restore salmon habitat," Rep. Dicks said.

            The coastal wetlands grants in Washington for 2004 are as follows: Deadman Slough Acquisition and Restoration Project The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in cooperation with the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, will purchase 243 acres and restore 353acres of estuarine marsh near the mouth of the Snohomish River. The project will provide nursery habitat for several species of salmon as well as wintering habitat for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. Partners:  Cascade Land Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Pacific Coast Joint Venture

Coastal Grant Request $1,000,000
State share      $ 400,000
Partners share  $ 373,000
TOTAL COST  $1,773,000

DUNGENESS ESTUARINE WETLANDS PROJECT The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in cooperation with the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, will acquire and permanently conserve several coastal wetlands properties in the lower 1.5 miles of the Dungeness River and Meadowbrook Creek systems.  Approximately 50 acres will be purchased through this project, which will provide habitat essential to several salmon species, migratory birds, shorebirds and also to the rate Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Partners:  Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Clallam County, Ducks Unlimited, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge Coordinated Volunteer Program, Puget Consumers Co-op, Dungeness River Center, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society and the North Olympic Land Trust.

Coastal Grant Request

$987,500

State share

$414,500

Partners share

$35,000

TOTAL COST

$1,437,196

LOWER SEQUIM BAY ESTUARY ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will acquire eight acres of coastal wetlands and restore an additional seven acres of wetland habitat, completing an ongoing restoration effort affecting about 156 acres of coastal wetlands.  The project will benefit chinook and chum salmon, as well as migratory birds such as the greater yellowlegs, black oystercatcher and rock sandpipers. Partners:  Clallam County, the Clallam Co. Conservation District, the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Clallam County Streamkeepers, Dungeness River Audubon Center and the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society.

Coastal Grant Request

$998,900

State share

$685,000

Partners share

$133,000

TOTAL COST

$1,816,900

Qwuloot Project -- Phase III Acquisition The Washington State Department of Ecology will acquire approximately 36 acres of wetlands within the Snohomish River delta.  This acquisition will provide the final properties necessary to restore 390 acres of estuarine wetlands and access to a coastal stream currently blocked to salmon and other fish.  The completed project will provide nursery habitat for chinook and other salmon species, in addition to bull trout.  It will also provide resting and feeding habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds.

Coastal Grant Request

$322,500

Partners share

$327,500

Total cost

$650,000

SOUTH PADILLA BAY ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in cooperation with the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, will acquire and restore approximately 440 acres of estuarine wetlands along the south end of Padilla Bay, within the Puget Sound ecosystem of northwest Washington.  The project will provide nursery habitat for several species of salmon, as well as provide foraging areas for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds during their annual migrations. Partners:  Skagit County, Ducks Unlimited, Pacific Coast Joint Venture

Coastal Grant Request

$1,000,000

State share

$100,000

Partners share

$520,000

TOTAL COST

$1,620,000

WILLAPA/CEDAR RIVER ACQUISITION The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will purchase 475 acres of wetlands in the Cedar River Estuary and restore habitat for wintering shorebirds.  In addition to providing improved resting and feeding habitat for several species of waterfowl and shorebirds, the project will enhance critical salmon rearing habitat and protect two sites that are important for the reproductive success of band-tailed pigeons. Partners: Cascade Land Conservancy, Wildlife Forever Foundation, Pacific Coast Joint Venture

Coastal Grant Request

$860,000

State share

$5,000

Partners share

$395,000

TOTAL COST

$1,260,000


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