Merkley, Wyden: Oregon to receive over $32 million for wildlife, sport fish restoration projects

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden. D-Ore., announced Friday a total of more than $32 million in federal funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is coming to Oregon to support Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration projects around the state.

Funding is intended to support projects that connect people with nature, and conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

“Our state’s lands and waters are integral to the futures of countless fish and wildlife, as well as many Oregonians’ quality of life and livelihoods,” said Merkley. “With the help of these investments from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, on-the-ground local conservation programs will be created and supported to ensure our land and water ecosystems are protected and thrive for generations to come.”

“Our love of the outdoors is part of our Oregonian DNA,” Wyden said. “Caring for these lands and the wildlife that help make Oregon a dream destination is vital for our quality of life and for the health of small businesses in every nook and cranny of our state.”

The Wildlife Restoration Program—authorized by the Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) Act of 1950—provides funds to fish and wildlife agencies for projects to restore, conserve, manage and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitat. The Sport Fish Restoration Program—authorized by the Sport Fish Restoration (Dingell-Johnson) Act of 1950—provides funds to fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access, and aquatic education. Both programs were reauthorized through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Merkley and Wyden supported.

Oregon’s allocations can be found below:

1. $23,596,409 for Wildlife Restoration to support over 45 grants within Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Division, as well as two grants related to Hunter Education and Shooting Range Enhancements administered under the Information and Education Division. The program supports the operation and maintenance of 18 wildlife areas and 7 regional habitat programs which are designed to provide technical assistance and enhance wildlife habitats on public and private lands.
2. $8,422,335 for Sport Fish Restoration to support boating access projects that differ annually in addition to 17 different base SFR projects within ODFW’s Fish Division. Sport Fish Restoration funding supports important fisheries, monitoring, access, and education programs throughout Oregon. SFR funding is also used to keep a finger on the pulse of several of our iconic salmon/steelhead populations, including those in the Rogue, the Oregon Coast, Deschutes, Willamette, and Umpqua.