The grants were part of an announcement by the Department of Interior of $20.5 million in aid to support 24 projects in 13 states The grants were awarded under the 2012 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. They will be matched by nearly $21 million in partner contributions from state and local governments, private landowners and conservation groups.
Typically, between $13 million and $17 million in grants are awarded annually through a competitive process. Funding for the program comes from excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels.
Including the 2012 grants, the Service has awarded nearly $300 million since the program began in 1992. When the 2012 projects are complete, about 293,000 acres of habitat will have been protected, restored or enhanced.
Washington projects
ProjectGrantState share
Big Quilcene River coastal stream acquisition and restoration$900,000$320,000
Crockett Lake coastal wetlands Phase 2$960,000$440,000
Indian Point coastal wetlands project$618,000$282,000
Lower Nooksack River conservation and restoration project$759,281$591,840
Nooksack River-Smuggler’s Slough estuary restoration Phase 3$803,804$475,000
North Bay/Coulter Creek estuary$585,000$456,000
Snow Creek salt marsh and near-shore restoration$811,479$367,577
Triangle Cove coastal acquisition and protection project$1 million$1,117,200
Union River estuary habitat restoration project$1 million$561,525
