Crapo Pushes For Salmon Funding

Washington, DC â??Funding for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) is imperative to protecting and restoring salmon and steelhead populations in the Pacific Northwest said Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, along with seven other senators. The members wrote to the Senate Appropriations Committee to push for the inclusion of the funding in the Fiscal Year 2006 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill. Through the PCSRF, more than 1,800 habitat restoration projects and 1,100 planning and assessment projects have been funded. Previous funding has allowed states--Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaskaâ??to establish habitat restoration programs to advance fish recovery while promoting local and regional stewardship between landowners and governments. Specific to Idaho, funding of $4.5 million will aid restoration of coastal salmon spawning habitats, as well as other PCSRF-related projects. â??State leadership is necessary to recovering salmon and this funding is the best way for state and federal government agencies along with landowners to progress on salmon recovery,â?? Crapo said. â??The Fund is essential to continuing the restoration of salmon habitats. Iâ??m proud of Idahoâ??s salmon habitat work and Iâ??m pleased my Senate colleagues have joined me in support of this effort.â?? The Senate-passed Fiscal Year 2006 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill calls for PCSRF funding at $90 million, while the House-passed version calls for $50 million. The bill is currently in a conference committee to settle differences between the Senate-passed and House-passed measures. FOR INTERESTED MEDIA: A radio actuality is available by calling 1-800-545-1267. Press 327 at any time during or after the greeting and instructions. You can also access the actuality through the Internet at www.senate.gov/src/radio/crapo.