January 22, 2025 2:50 a.m.

On Tuesday, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that a total of nearly $30 million in federal funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is coming to Oregon to support Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration projects around the state.

A joint release said funding is intended to support projects that connect people with nature and conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
Merkley said, “Our state’s lands and water are integral to the futures of countless fish and wildlife, as well as many Oregonians’ quality of life and livelihoods”. Merkley said, “These federal funds will be used to manage and protect Oregonians access and enjoy the great outdoors through our outstanding recreation opportunities”.

Wyden said, “Fish and wildlife are part of what makes Oregon the best state in America for recreation”. Wyden said, “That doesn’t happen by osmosis – it happens thanks to significant federal investments like these that support our state’s natural advantages and the benefits they create for our economy and environment”.

The Wildlife Restoration Program provides funds to fish and wildlife agencies for projects to restore, conserve, manage and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitat.

The Sport Fish Restoration Program provides funds to fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education.

Oregon’s allocations include:

*Nearly $22 million for Wildlife Restoration
*Nearly $8 million for Sport Fish Restoration.

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Director Debbie Colbert said, “These federal investments, matched with revenue from hunting and fishing licenses, are the foundation of ODFW’s capacity to care for Oregon’s diverse fish and wildlife”.