TULALIP – The Tulalip Tribes announce receipt of $2 million in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for continuing work on the Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration project – critical to salmon recovery in Puget Sound.
“This community effort will provide regional jobs, cultural restoration, public education and access, and habitat restoration for salmon,” said Mel Sheldon, Chairman of the Tulalip Tribes. “Thanks to community partnership, this restoration will eventually benefit our area sport, commercial and tribal fishing.”
The NOAA award will provide significant funding for phase II of the $7.8 million Qwuloolt Restoration Project. Overall the effort will restore 350 acres of wetland that is critical to recovery of Snohomish River salmon (particularly endangered Chinook) and to the ecology of the river’s estuary. The phase II work to remove fish barriers (tide gates and 2,000 feet of levee) will also open fish access to 16 miles of stream spawning and rearing habitat in Allen and Jones creeks and will create or maintain at least 25 quality area jobs, increase public access opportunities and enhance conservation education.
“These Recovery Act projects will put Americans to work while restoring our coasts and combating climate change,” said Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. “They reflect our investment in sound science and a commitment to help strengthen local economies.”
“NOAA is investing in green jobs for Americans to restore habitat for valuable fish and wildlife and to strengthen coastal communities, making them more resilient to storms, sea level rise and other effects of climate change,” Commerce under secretary of oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco said. “In addition to the immediate jobs created by the projects, stronger and healthier coastal communities will boost our nation’s long-term economic health.”
“The Qwuloolt Estuary Project will restore estuary habitat lost years ago when the estuary was diked for farming,” said Patricia Montanio, director of NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation. “Bringing back estuary habitat is critical to the recovery of threatened and endangered salmon.”
Since the early 1900’s when the Marysville marshes were drained, the area has been cut off by dikes from the natural tidal and river influences of the Snohomish River estuary. This elimination of natural fish breeding and rearing habitat devastated salmon populations in Puget Sound and forced a “Band-Aid” solution of hatchery fish production in the area.
“This recovery project will help keep our environment clean and our economy moving,” said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). “Restoring and protecting our waterways is a priority for Washington State and I am excited that this project is receiving federal support,” she said.
“Restoring estuary habitat and wetlands is essential to protecting threatened and endangered salmon,” said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). “I applaud the decision of NOAA to invest so seriously in repairing wildlife habitats, strengthening coastal communities and creating green jobs.”
A Community Partnership
The Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project is overseen by a federal, state and tribal planning team composed of representatives from the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Washington Department of Ecology. Additional federal, state, regional and private planning partners in the project include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the City of Marysville, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and two nonprofits – the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Stilly Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force. The Qwuloolt Project is also supported by the Snohomish Basin Forum – the 39 member voluntary group composed of local citizens, businesses, tribal representatives, farmers and elected officials who guide conservation efforts in the watershed.
The $2 million in NOAA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will round out nearly $2.5 million in local, state and federal grants and $3.3 million in anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding for the project.
For more information, contact: Mytyl Hernandez, Tulalip Tribal Government Public Affairs, 360-716-4013 or [email protected]
