Coordinated salmon habitat restoration on private lands
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Date
2013
Authors
University of Oregon. Ecosystem Workforce Program
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ecosystem Workforce Program, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon
Abstract
Salmon recovery requires restoration of spawning habitat to improve egg-to-smolt survival. Private lands play a crucial role. Funds for restoration are available from both federal appropriations and legal settlements for dam mitigation. Federal agencies responsible for recovery are often limited in their ability to work on private lands however, not only by legal authority, but also by the absence of landowner trust.
In the Methow River Valley in north central Washington, an innovative partnership between a federal agency and a local nonprofit is bridging that gap by working together to facilitate and fund salmon habitat restoration on private lands. The partnership merges available funding with local knowledge to deploy funding strategically across the Valley. Landowners benefit from assistance for restoration projects that often increase the value of their properties beyond the small match required for the funding, in addition to increased irrigation efficiencies.
Description
2 pages