County reels in grants for salmon work

By ANDY PORTER of the Union-Bulletin

Salmon recovery efforts in Walla Walla County have received a $2.2 million boost from state grants and other sources.

The state Salmon Recovery Funding Board on Wednesday targeted six Walla Walla County organizations to receive more than $1.6 million for stream recovery and preservation projects. Contributions of labor, money and other donations from the groups will raise the total to more than $2.2 million.

A Columbia County project on the Tucannon River is also slated to receive $122,840 and one other grant will go to Walla Walla Community College for a multi-county project in the lower Snake River basin.

Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the awards Wednesday. In a release, Gregoire said "the health of salmon populations is an indication of the health of our environment. Protecting and restoring our land and water is key to the quality of life in Washington and essential to the strength of our economy."

Among the Walla Walla County groups, the Blue Mountain Land Trust was the biggest winner. The organization will receive three grants totaling $602,989 for projects to protect the Walla Walla River, Coppei Creek and Mill Creek. The total amount will be increased to $801,249 with contributions of $198,260 in labor, materials and property.

"Wow, we did well," said Beth Theil, trust executive director, when she was told about the award Thursday. The money will be used to buy voluntary land protection agreements that will protect existing and restored river habitat and buffer zones along the river and creek banks.

Although the contributions of labor and materials are important, Theil said property owners who want to help preserve riparian areas are the ones who deserve credit.

"It's the landowners who are contributing a lot to these projects," Theil said. "They are the ones stepping forward."

The Walla Walla County grants were among $60 million awarded to organizations in 28 counties by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. Walla Walla County groups win more than $1.6 million for salmon recovery projects, Columbia County project also funded...Top projects are stream restoration, preservation...WITH SIDEBAR detailing who got what