Press release from the Office of Rep. Jared Huffman:
Today,
U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) shared the news that the
Elk River Estuary has been selected by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to receive $6 million in federal
funding for a large-scale habitat restoration project. This funding
was made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law, which Rep. Huffman helped pass.
“Our
coasts are getting battered by climate change – and that has
serious consequences for ecosystems, wildlife, and the communities
that rely on healthy coastal habitats,” said
Rep. Huffman.
“This forward-looking project on the Elk River will upgrade vital
infrastructure to increase resilience to sea level rise and protect
habitat for the region’s iconic salmon. Projects like this are
exactly what I had in mind while shaping Democrats’ historic
legislation to invest in America and our future; and I’m glad I could
help bring this funding home.”
“We’re
deeply grateful to NOAA’s Coastal Zone Management program for their
generous support, particularly as state funding diminishes. This
award marks a pivotal moment in our mission to protect and recover
wild fish and their habitats,” said
Darren Mierau, North Coast Regional Director, CalTrout.
“This award will allow us to transition from our engineering design
phase with funding from the State Coastal Conservancy to implementing
crucial coastal resilience projects on the Elk River. Through
infrastructure upgrades, we will protect agricultural lands, restore
vital habitats for native salmon, and enhance resilience against
sea-level rise along Humboldt Bay’s shoreline. Together, we’re
building a future where rivers thrive, and coastal communities
prosper.”
The
Elk River Estuary Restoration Project is the initial implementation
step of a decades-long, community-based program to resolve legacy
sediment and water quality impairment issues from excessive timber
harvest, while also providing regional resilience to sea level rise
and large episodic storm events. The project is intended to improve
hydrologic and sediment processes, water quality conditions, and
aquatic and riparian habitat functions in Elk River, ultimately
reducing nuisance flooding in rural residential properties and
agricultural land in this economically disadvantaged community.
This
project is a part of a nationwide $123 million tranche of funding
across state and territorial coastal management programs and national
estuarine research reserves.
“These
transformational projects will not only bolster community resilience,
but also ensure that innovations are fairly and broadly accessible,”
said
Jainey K. Bavishi, assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and
atmosphere and deputy NOAA administrator.
“This significant increase in resources from NOAA will be essential
in helping to build local infrastructure that is climate resilient,
while providing essential benefits to businesses.”
These
investments will complement and leverage other opportunities for
habitat conservation and restoration, including funding through
NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program and the National Oceans
and Coastal Security Fund. The restoration and conservation of
ecologically significant ecosystems, such as wetlands, corals and
natural shoreline, will help reduce the impacts of coastal hazards —
including flooding and climate change — to property and
infrastructure, and at the same time provide economic benefits to
coastal communities.
Visit
NOAA’s Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law
and
Inflation
Reduction Act
websites
to learn about current and future funding opportunities.
