WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Patty Murray (D-WA) announced funding for five WATERSmart Environmental Water Resources Projects in Washington state to focus on restoration and water conservation and management.
According to a press release from Thursday, the $8.7 million in funding is part of an $8.3 billion investment over five years from the Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve water infrastructure across the nation.
“This announcement is great news for the Yakama Nation and Chelan and Kittitas Counties as they work to restore critical fish habitats, conserve water, improve watershed health and help surrounding ecosystems,” said Sen. Murray.
The five projects include:
$2,248,677 for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation to improve conditions for anadromous fish species in the lower Yakima River.$600,000 for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation to reconnect nine miles of side channel along the Yakima River and restore floodplains.$468,903 for Chelan County’s Camas Meadows Streamflow and Ecosystem Restoration Project.$2,475,000 for the Kittitas Conservation Trust to restore a section of Gold Creek.$3,000,000 for the Kittitas Reclamation District to restore in-stream flows in Mantash Creek by piping 2,656 linear feet in the South Branch Canal.
“Saving our salmon is a top priority for me, and restoring the ecosystems our fish populations rely on is absolutely fundamental to the health of our environment, and our economy and communities,” said Sen. Murray. “These projects are yet another example of the far-reaching improvements the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making possible all across Washington state.”
