California Allocates $36 Million to Preserving Salmon Habitats
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced plans to allocate nearly $36 million to projects aimed at preserving salmon and their habitats. The initiative will also support climate resiliency, wildlife corridors, and wetlands restoration efforts.
Key actions for salmon preservation include restoring salmon strongholds as climate refugia, increasing partnerships, working with Tribes, accelerating large-scale restoration, modernizing outdated infrastructure, and creating fish passages around migration barriers. Today’s awards will fund such salmon-focused projects.
The CDFW has granted $20 million in Drought Emergency Salmon Protection Grants to 10 projects that collaborate with Tribes and landowners in the Shasta and Scott rivers and their watersheds. These projects involve habitat improvement, fish passage barrier removal, and groundwater recharge. Additionally, $9 million from the same fund will go to Tribes in the Klamath River mainstem for post-fire damage remediation, slope and sediment stabilization, and salmonid restoration.
CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham emphasizes the importance of these projects for struggling salmon populations, noting that the Klamath, Scott, and Shasta rivers are historic salmon strongholds. The investments in these 10 projects coincide with the largest river restoration in America’s history, which involves removing four dams on the mainstem Klamath River.
Furthermore, the CDFW is granting $6.9 million to nine projects that will support nature-based solutions, climate resiliency, wildlife corridors, and wetlands restoration. These projects will address urgent water and habitat degradation due to climate change in Shasta and Sonoma counties, expand Lahontan cutthroat trout habitat on the Upper Truckee River, and create habitat connectivity through wildlife corridors for species such as Clear Lake hitch and newts.
Work on these projects will commence soon, and the CDFW will continue to accept applications for new projects and make awards on an ongoing basis. The focus will be on a strategic approach to rebuild salmon and other species populations by removing migration barriers, improving water management and quality, restoring core salmon strongholds, modernizing older infrastructure for salmon-friendly results, and taking other necessary actions.
In late 2022, the CDFW announced $200 million in new funding for restoration, including $100 million in emergency drought funding for protecting salmon against drought and climate change. The funding also supports key initiatives like California’s 30×30 initiative, Nature-Based Solutions, and increasing the pace and scale of restoration through Cutting Green Tape.
To accelerate restoration, the CDFW has developed a single set of General Grant Program Guidelines with an overview of eligible project types, priorities, and information on the application process. Applications submitted under these new initiatives may also be considered for further evaluation under CDFW’s Proposition 1 and Proposition 68 Grant Programs, with a separate call for projects to be released in Spring 2023.
For more information about these funding opportunities, guidelines, and how to apply, as well as general information about CDFW’s grant programs and a schedule for upcoming grant solicitations, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/grants.
It’s great to hear that California is allocating $36 million towards preserving salmon habitats. Salmon play a vital role in our ecosystem, and it’s important to take action to protect their habitats. It’s encouraging to see that the state is taking steps to address the issues that threaten these habitats, such as water diversion, pollution, and habitat degradation. I hope that other states and countries will follow California’s example and invest in preserving important natural resources like salmon habitats. It’s essential to protect our environment and the species that depend on it for their survival.
I was delighted to come across your article about California allocating $36 million to preserving salmon habitats. It’s inspiring to see such a significant investment in conservation efforts and the protection of these vital ecosystems.
Salmon play a crucial role in California’s natural environment and are an integral part of its biodiversity. The allocation of funds to preserve their habitats demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship and the recognition of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Preserving salmon habitats is not only beneficial for the species itself but also has far-reaching ecological and economic impacts. Salmon serve as a keystone species, influencing the entire food web and supporting the livelihoods of local communities, including fishing industries and tourism.
The investment in habitat restoration and conservation initiatives will not only help preserve the salmon population but also contribute to overall ecosystem health. It’s encouraging to see California taking proactive steps to protect these iconic fish and their habitats, ensuring their survival for future generations.
I applaud the efforts of the state and all the stakeholders involved in this initiative. The allocation of such a significant amount of funding showcases a commitment to environmental sustainability and the long-term health of California’s natural resources.
I hope that this investment serves as a catalyst for further conservation efforts and encourages other regions to prioritize the preservation of vulnerable species and their habitats. By working together, we can make a positive and lasting impact on our environment.
Thank you for highlighting this important news and raising awareness about the importance of preserving salmon habitats. I look forward to reading more of your insightful articles on conservation and environmental topics.