Letter to Cuberson and Honda - Invest In Pacific Salmon Recovery

Letter

Dear Chairman Culberson and Ranking Member Honda:

We ask you to maintain funding for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) by including a minimum of $65 million in the Fiscal Year 2017 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Appropriations bill.

Your past support for this program, including the $65 million that was included in last year's Omnibus Appropriations bill, has resulted in impressive accomplishments in local and state salmon recovery efforts that are essential to the ecosystem of the Pacific Coast. A true partnership between the federal government, states, localities and private citizens helps catalyze thousands of restoration and conservation projects in our region. Under PCSRF, the National Marine Fisheries Service provides competitive funding to the states of Washington, California, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, and Nevada, and tribes of the Pacific Coast region to implement habitat restoration and recovery projects that contribute to the sustainability of the species.

Over the evolution of this program, NOAA Fisheries Service, states, tribes and local project managers have developed an integrated approach to track progress, measure performance, and ensure accountability. As of last year, PCSRF grants have funded 11,500 projects to restore more than 1,031,000 acres of essential fish habitat and improved more than 10,000 miles of streams for fish passage. Recent analyses also suggest that on average 17 new jobs and $2.3 million in additional economic activity result for each $1 million investment of PCSRF and state matching funds. Continued commitment, collaboration and resources are required to achieve the overarching goal of full recovery and sustainability.

The restoration and protection of our fisheries resources are vitally important to our economies, our states, and to the nation. This is a challenging endeavor and we appreciate your continued support for PCSRF.

Sincerely,

Rick Larsen

Member of Congress