TACOMA, WA – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has allocated $18.4 million for four fish passage restoration projects in Washington’s Sixth Congressional District.
Among the allocations locally, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will be granted $1.4 million to replace undersized culverts with a bridge on a city road in Port Angeles. This project will eliminate one of the last fish passage barriers in the Ennis Creek watershed.
Trout Unlimited will receive $8.4 million to restore access to spawning and rearing habitats on the Olympic Peninsula. This project aims to address six fish passage barriers in the Hoh, Queets-Quinault, and Quillayute watersheds.
The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe will receive $2.2 million to address fish passage issues at the Hood Canal Bridge, which is a significant cause of mortality for juvenile steelhead.
Overall, Washington state is receiving nearly $75 million, including $39.4 million for Tribal projects to remove fish barriers.
This funding, derived from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act, is part of NOAA’s broader initiatives to improve aquatic access and restore habitats.