Conservancy gets salmon funds

    The state Salmon Recovery Funding Board announced almost $43 million in grants to protect and restore salmon habitat, including a $709,000 award to protect a half-mile of riverfront in the Methow Valley.
    The board approved two grants to the Methow Conservancy to buy two voluntary private conservation agreements for 64 acres along the upper Methow River. The conservation agreements would protect a half-mile of riverfront and 39 acres of floodplain, according to a news release this month.
    The project would link and protect 10 river-miles along the 23-mile upper Methow River, spawning and rearing waters for spring Chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout, species listed under the endangered species act.
    “We’re honored to receive this grant award from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and look forward to this opportunity to work with private landowners who share an interest in working with the Methow Conservancy,” said Jason Paulsen, executive director for the Conservancy.
    Both landowners own riparian habitat between Winthrop and Mazama in areas prioritized for habitat protection through the salmon recovery planning process, said Paulsen. He said matching funds would come either from other grant funds to be obtained prior to starting work on the projects, private funds or a donation of value by the landowners.

MV News file photo by Patrick Hannigan