Washington’s coastal cities to get millions for fisheries to help ailing orca population

Environmental threats are top of mind for leaders in Washington D.C., with the federal government now handing out billions to coastal cities to battle issues like rising sea levels and more.

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell says there will be a record amount of investment in salmon, its habitats, and recovery.

NOAA announced a $3.31 billion investment in coastal resilience, salmon recovery, and infrastructure. In Washington, Senator Maria Cantwell says the funding will include $390 million for tribal fisheries, including salmon hatcheries to help boost orca populations.

The money also includes an $83 million commitment to rebuild the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood.

Scientists at Northwest Fisheries Science Center conduct research to try to help local populations of fish and other aquatic life, which helps preserve them and our environment.

Cantwell says the infusion of cash -- part of Biden’s inflation reduction act -- will help the center continue research that will guide local policies in the future.

“The inflation reduction act was all about making long-overdue investments in America particularly when it comes to addressing the climate crisis … to help coastal communities prepare for those climate impacts,” Cantwell said.

Cantwell says investments of millions now are critical because low-lying areas across the state could be underwater by 2050. That includes parts of Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia -- as well as large segments of counties like Grays Harbor County. The money could help mitigate risks posed by rising water in those communities.

Millions of dollars will also help pay for a new discovery center for the Olympic National Marine Sanctuary in Port Angeles

While hundreds of millions will go to tribal priorities, including funding to boost salmon production here -- helping Chinook Salmon populations will sustain the food source for Southern resident Orcas.

“This is a record amount of investment in salmon, salmon habitat, and in salmon recovery,” Cantwell said. “[This funding] is about removal of fish barriers, such as levees -- or what we call deadbeat dams -- investments in culverts and blockages, and helps to ensure salmon migration routes enable more salmon to return to their spawning grounds.”

“Coastal communities face a unique and widespread climate challenge, including more severe ocean storms, sea level rise, ocean acidification, [and] shifting fish populations that impact fishing communities,” Cantwell continued. “This funding makes a one-time investment in science that we need to make smarter decisions. We know that our large-scale ecosystems are being impacted by climate, and we need to build what is our natural infrastructure to prevent against those storm surges, those floods, and other things that can be mitigated by us making some natural resource infrastructure investments.”