Featured News, Siskiyou

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Invests $162 Million in Klamath Basin Restoration

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investing $162 million over five years to support ecosystem restoration and address critical water-related challenges in the Klamath Basin of southern Oregon and northern California. As part of this initiative, nearly $90 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds have already been allocated to a wide range of projects in close collaboration with Tribes, stakeholders, and government leaders.

One of the key projects is the expansion of the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery, which will enhance captive-rearing of the endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers. These fish hold deep cultural significance for the Klamath Tribes. The Service is also engaging stakeholders through a co-development process to identify restoration projects that have broad community support.

Tribal partners, including the Yurok, Karuk, Hoopa Valley and Klamath Tribes, are leading numerous habitat restoration efforts aimed at improving conditions for salmon, suckers and other native fish species. These projects focus on stream and floodplain restoration, fish passage improvements, water quality monitoring, and riparian habitat enhancement.

To support science-based decision making, investments are being made in water quality and quantity monitoring and modeling across the Basin. This data will help inform water management decisions and guide restoration efforts.

Wetland restoration is another priority, with major initiatives underway on the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. By restoring degraded wetlands, these projects will benefit fish and wildlife while also increasing water storage capacity. In the Lower Klamath Lake area, partners are developing a water and habitat improvement plan to explore strategies for enhancing wetlands while supporting sustainable agriculture.

To help track and coordinate the many restoration efforts, the Service will be developing a conservation and restoration project database and interactive map. This tool will engage partners and provide public transparency on Klamath Basin restoration progress.

Funding for the $162 million initiative is spread over fiscal years 2022-2025. The Service is committed to continued collaboration with partners to allocate remaining funds effectively in order to achieve long-term solutions for the Klamath Basin’s ecosystems and communities. This significant investment reflects the importance of the Klamath Basin and the hard work of many dedicated stakeholders in the region.

https://www.fws.gov/program/klamath-basin-project-awards/what-we-do

  • Expansion of the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery to enhance captive-rearing of endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers
  • Co-development process with stakeholders to identify restoration projects with broad support
  • Numerous habitat restoration projects with Tribal partners focused on improving conditions for salmon, suckers and other native fish
  • Water quality and quantity monitoring and modeling to inform management decisions
  • Wetland restoration on wildlife refuges to benefit fish, wildlife and water storage
  • Development of a water and habitat improvement plan for Lower Klamath Lake area
  • Creation of a conservation and restoration project database and interactive map

Funding is spread across fiscal years 2022-2025. The Service will continue working with committed partners to allocate remaining funds in coming years to find long-term, collaborative solutions for the Klamath Basin and its communities.

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