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Congressman Baird announced that projects in the Third Congressional District have received funding through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, which is matched by state funds.
Programs around the state will use the funds to help their continued efforts to rescue salmon, steelhead, and bull trout from the brink of extinction.

"These funds will allow groups and projects throughout the third district to continue working to protect and rescue endangered salmon and other fish species from extinction," said Rep. Baird. "The salmon and trout industries are an important part of our local economy and the Northwest's heritage. The regional recovery plans funded by these grants will make a real difference toward protecting these species, and the livelihoods of many Washington residents."
The following programs received funding:

In Clark County
• Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group, $310,157 - The Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group will use the grant to create a large logjam and add five clusters of boulders in the Lower Washougal River. Work also will include replanting the perimeter of the off-channel ponds and wetlands. These actions will increase the types of habitats in the ponds, creating spawning and rearing areas for chum, coho, Chinook, and steelhead.
• Clark County, $300,000 - Clark County will use this grant to buy 52 acres of shoreline, riparian, and floodplain habitat on the east fork of the Lewis River and lower Dean Creek.
• Columbia Land Trust, $285,000 - This grant will be used to protect 169 acres of high-quality shoreline and riparian and upland habitat on the east fork of the Lewis River from residential development.

In Cowlitz County
• Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Conservation District, $278,501 - The District received two grants to develop a conservation plan and implement those practices for a landowner as a pilot project and for the second grant to plan, site and design salmon recovery projects in the same watershed for multiple landowners. The plans are expected to improve the stream channel, retain gravel, reduce the stream temperature, and improve water quality.
• Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group, $93,800 - This grant will be used to develop designs for restoration projects that would create off-channel habitat on 52 acres. Work will include gathering topographical, surface water, and groundwater elevation data to craft a conceptual plan.

In Skamania County
• Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group, $87,487 - These funds will be used to reconnect Duncan Creek's reach and floodplain to provide spawning and rearing habitat for chum and coho salmon, and steelhead and cutthroat trout.
• Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group, $245,082 - This grant will be used to install a large logjam and five clusters of boulders in the Washougal River to slow the river and create habitat important for fish survival.

In Wahkiakum County
• Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Conservation District, $259,000 - Two grants were awarded to develop a pilot habitat restoration project on at least one privately owned property on the left fork of Skamokawa Creek as a demonstration area for the community, and to develop conservation plans and design projects on spawning reach.
• Wahkiakum County, $382,480 - Funds from this grant will be used to build a new bridge to replace twin culverts, recently displaced by the early November storms. The project will increase rearing and spawning habitat in Duck Creek by up to 98 percent, and fully open access to 2.8 miles of spawning and rearing habitat.
• Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group, $160,311 - This grant will be used to place large, woody debris at two locations in the Grays River to improve fish habitat.

Congressman Baird has supported funding for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. Last year, Congressman Baird and 15 bipartisan colleagues requested $90 million for the Fund. Since 1999, Congress has provided funding for more than 700 projects.