Newport News: OWEB approves additional funds for displaced coastal fishers

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board approved $300,000 in additional funding along with administrative rules for grants that employ displaced coastal fishers at meetings last week in Hillsboro.

The board also authorized purchase of land preservation agreements on 231 acres south of Yachats.

The $300,000 allocation will be used to fund on-the-ground restoration activities benefiting coastal Coho salmon in watersheds that drain directly to the ocean, including the Rogue and Umpqua basins. Crews of displaced fishers will work on the restoration projects.

"The additional funding responds to a high level of interest in this work by boat owners, crew members and their families," said Tom Byler, OWEB executive director. In September 2006, the board authorized a similar supplement of $500,000, following an initial allocation of $2.2 million in June 2006 to establish five new fish habitat grant offerings to employ displaced coastal fishers. To date, the new programs have supported the employment of more than 100 displaced fishers.

In related action, board members authorized permanent rules governing the grants for fish habitat improvement activities employing displaced fishers. The rules describe application and award criteria for the grant process. The board adopted temporary rules in July when the program started.

The board also allocated $810,000 to purchase land preservation agreements for five parcels along Tenmile Creek, which drains directly to the ocean about 10 miles south of Yachats. The land will remain in private ownership, but owners agree to maintain the Sitka spruce forest and streamside areas in their current condition forever. The area provides excellent habitat for diverse types of fish and wildlife.

Daniel Heagerty, Portland, and Jane O'Keeffe, Adel, serve as co-chairs of the 17-member Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Members represent the public at large, tribes, state natural resource agency boards and commissions, the Oregon State University Extension Service, and federal natural resource agencies.

The board is supported by a state agency of the same name that provides grants and services to citizen groups, organizations and agencies working to restore healthy streams, lakes and rivers in Oregon.

OWEB actions support the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, created in 1997. Funding comes from the Oregon Lottery as a result of a citizen initiative in 1998, sales of salmon license plates, federal salmon funds and other sources. For more information, visit www.oregon.gov/OWEB or call OWEB in Salem at (503) 986-0178.