(Washington D.C.) – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today announced that she has secured $80 million in funding for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) and $10 million to support fisherman and processors impacted by the Klamath River basin salmon disaster. Murray secured the funding in the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill, which passed the full Senate Appropriations Committee this afternoon.
The $80 million for the PCSRF will support efforts to restore the endangered Pacific salmon population to healthy, harvestable levels, and improve salmon habitats throughout the West Coast and Alaska. Under the bill, Washington state will receive $25 million, the largest portion allocated to any state; $7 million will also be provided to the Pacific Coast and $2 million to the Columbia River treaty tribes to support tribal restoration efforts.
The bill provides $10 million to assist fisherman, fish processors, and related businesses supporting the fishing industries in Oregon, California, and Washington state impacted by reduced salmon harvests caused by the Klamath River basin disaster.
“In our state, a healthy, sustainable salmon population also means a healthy economy,” said Senator Murray. “This funding will help support our state’s coordinated effort to restore salmon runs and preserve a way of life in the Pacific Northwest.”
“For years people from all walks of life have worked together to ensure Northwest salmon are healthy and thriving.” said Senator Cantwell. “These resources will help these crucial efforts, because people in the Northwest know that salmon are an indication of the health of our land, our streams, and our economy.”
The PCSRF restores endangered and listed stocks of Pacific salmon through the improvement and expansion of salmon habitats. It also supplements existing state, tribal and local programs that foster partnerships in salmon and steelhead recovery and conservation.
“Salmon are an iconic part of our northwest culture,” said Governor Gregoire. “I am very grateful to Senator Murray for her continual support of salmon recovery work in Washington.”
Senator Murray has been a staunch advocate of salmon recovery and has repeatedly secured funding as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The CJS Appropriations bill will next move to the Senate floor where it will be voted on by the full Senate. The House of Representatives has already passed its version of the CJS bill and only funded the PSRF at $20 million.
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