BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed investing $187 million in salmon recovery as part of his 2022 budget and policy proposals.
The legislation, if approved by lawmakers, also would set new standards for salmon habitat protection and conservation efforts.
Inslee said the legislation is the result of two years of discussions with tribes in the state. He announced his salmon proposals Dec. 14 at the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community reservation’s Swadabs Park.
“Our fight is simple: to be able to practice our culture and feed our spirit with the foods we are accustomed to,” said Kim Murphy, daughter of Lorraine Loomis, a Swinomish tribal elder who died last summer.
Inslee’s proposed investments in salmon recovery include $123 million in new protections for salmon riparian habitat along the banks of rivers and streams and more than $16 million for water quality and temperature improvements.
He also wants to invest $5 million in green infrastructure grants for projects that store water during high flows and release it during low flows, as well as $6.5 million to improve science and monitoring.
Some of the specifics of Inslee’s plan include removing more barriers to fish passage, such as culverts, and reintroducing salmon to their historic habitat above areas blocked by barriers such as dams and bridges.
The plan also includes goals to integrate salmon recovery with hatchery and hydropower operations.
Federal dollars for nationwide salmon recovery are coming to Washington through the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure funding bill, and there could be more in the Build Back Better Act that is waiting on congressional action.
Salmon populations are struggling in Washington state. More than 70% of endangered or threatened salmon and steelhead trout populations are “not keeping pace” with recovery goals or are “in crisis,” according to the 2020 State of Salmon in Watersheds report. Salmon are losing more habitat than they are gaining, Inslee said.
“We are running out of time,” Willy Frank III, chairman of the Nisqually Tribal Council, said at the Dec. 14 event. “I think we are past the point of emergency now when it comes to salmon habitat and clean water.”
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