EPA Awards Nearly $30 M to Restore Puget Sound
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing
nearly $30 million in federal grants to help protect and restore Puget Sound. The 36 grants are geared toward tribal projects, watershed projects and outreach and education initiatives.
EPA received more than 100 grant applications for this round of grants. The grants cover a wide range of projects including:
- removing invasive species from watersheds,
- improving salmon migration and increasing fish population,
- protecting watersheds from the impacts of urban growth,
- reopening shellfish beds,
- purchasing and preserving critical habitat and watershed lands,
- funding research to track progress,
- protecting shorelines,
- educating communities, homeowners and students about reducing impacts to Puget Sound.
The recipients include Washington state, tribes and local governments, many of which will work directly with communities and homeowners on projects to restore and protect Puget Sound. The Suquamish Tribe is receiving a grant worth nearly $600,000 for a project that will restore the Chico Creek estuary, which will result in improved fish passage and water quality in shellfish growing areas. The state and grantees are together matching dollar for dollar the $30 million.
Every year, millions of pounds of toxic pollution enter Puget Sound. Since 2006, EPA has dedicated $58.4 million dollars to protecting and restoring Puget Sound.