July 24, 204 2:50 a.m.

On Tuesday, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representative Val Hoyle announced $16.6 million in federal funds for Oregon habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects have been made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Wyden said, “Salmon, fishing and our beautiful outdoors are all central to Oregon’s economy and identity”. Wyden said, “This funding is exactly what I fought for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, and I will continue to advocate for more resources to preserve Oregon’s pristine waterways and coast”.

Merkley said, “Oregon’s native fish are the lifeblood of our state, supporting the health and vitality of our communities, local economies, and Tribes who have been here since time immemorial”. Merkley said, “…Crucially, the two projects receiving funding will strengthen coastal resiliency and go a long way to enhance habitat for fish populations, including our beloved coho salmon, spring Chinook salmon and other native fish species”.

Hoyle said, “It will support better habitats for salmon on the Willamette River and the Oregon Coast. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of these investments, and I’ll continue working to bring federal funding back to Oregon”.

The joint release said the $16.6 million comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries’ Office of Habitat Restoration and will be used for:

*McKenzie Watershed Alliance – Resilience through Floodplain Restoration: Creating Conditions for Native Species and Communities to Thrive in the Upper Willamette: $8.5 million.

*Wild Salmon Center – Oregon Coast Coho Recovery Plan Implementation in Oregon: $8.1 million.