May 3, 2024 2:50 a.m.

The Private Forest Accord Grant Program, administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, funded its first-ever round of habitat restoration projects awarding more than $10 million to 25 projects throughout Oregon.

One of the projects in Douglas County awarded funding to the South Umpqua Rural Community Partnership to restore 17 miles of critical spawning and rearing habitat for coho salmon in the Cow Creek watershed. An ODFW release said by improving fish passage, this project will benefit salmon migration and overall water quality for coho and Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, and giant salamanders.

The PFA program was established in the 2022 legislative session as an outcome of the landmark agreement between timber and conservation groups to recommend changes to the Forest Practices Act. The grant program’s purpose is to fund projects that benefit aquatic species and habitats that may be affected by ongoing forest practices on private lands.

PFA grant funds come from the state’s General Fund and timber harvest tax revenues. For more projects, these funds are then matched with funds from partners like nonprofits, Watershed Councils, Soil and Water Conservation districts and Tribes.

The next opportunity to apply for a PFA grant is planned for this fall. Millions more in funding will be awarded.

See the full list of recently funded projects at: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/habitat/PFA/grant_program.html