Washington State receives federal funds to save endangered salmon

(King County officials help win funds for entire state)

King County Executive Ron Sims today announced $18 million in new federal aid to Washington State for salmon recovery. The White House and Congress reached a compromise on the Commerce Department’s fiscal year 2000 budget. The new appropriations bill will send a total of $50 million to Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and California to benefit salmon. This money will be used to fund a variety of salmon-saving activities, such as habitat restoration, research, and stock enhancement. President Clinton is expected to sign the bill sometime next week.

“I’m delighted that the state will receive these additional funds,” said Sims. “King County has been working with our Congressional delegation to secure additional federal funding for salmon recovery. I’m very confident that the Tri-County region will successfully compete in the grant process for a portion of these funds.”

Washington state’s $18 million will be appropriated to the Salmon Recovery Funding (SRF) Board. Interested local, state, and tribal government agencies will be able to apply to the SRF Board for grants to fund salmon recovery projects. The specific distribution of the $18 million will be determined by the SRF Board. The 1999 Washington Legislature created and authorized the SRF Board to guide spending of funds targeted for recovery activities and projects.

This is the second year that Congress has allocated funds to Washington State specifically for salmon recovery. Washington State received more money this year than the other three western states in appropriations bill. Local governments are hopeful that this current appropriation indicates a long-term commitment to federal assistance in salmon recovery.

“These funds would not have been possible without the support of Senators Slade Gorton and Patty Murray and Representatives Norm Dicks, Jennifer Dunn, Jim McDermott, and Adam Smith,” said Sims. “Senator Gorton and Representative Dicks worked very hard to convey the importance of salmon recovery to their colleagues.”

In addition to $18 million for Washington, the Commerce, State, Justice Appropriations bill also approves $16 million for the state of Alaska, $9 million for Oregon and California, $6 million for coastal Indian tribes, and $2 million for the Columbia River tribes.

For more information on the Commerce, State, Justice Appropriations bill and how it will help salmon, please call Tim Ceis, Director, King County ESA Policy Coordination Office, at 206-296-3784.