Wyden, Merkley Announce Nearly $1.2 Million for Ecosystem Restoration in Oregon
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation award will benefit residents and projects along the Tillamook River
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $1.18 million for the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership to help fix the Burton-Fraser Road along the Tillamook River that is limiting fish passage.
“Letting our infrastructure crumble over time to a point where it hurts the environment is unacceptable, especially when battling the increasing consequences of the climate crisis,” Wyden said. “I consider federal investments like this that connect communities and help restore habitats a big win, and I will continue to fight for more resources that support restoration efforts throughout Oregon.”
“The health of communities across Oregon goes hand-in-hand with the health of our state’s waterways, fish habitats, and infrastructure,” Merkley said. “These federal investments for the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership will support replacing the failing Burton-Fraser Road, which is critical to protecting fish passageways and tidal wetlands across Oregon’s north coast. I will keep fighting for federal funds to support the long-term viability of Oregon’s rural and coastal communities and protect habitats for fish and wildlife.”
This investment from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund will go to Tillamook Estuaries Partnership to develop preliminary designs to replace the primary connecting road between Highways 101 and 131 and allow for tidal estuary reconnection. The project will facilitate the closure of a failing road segment, improve 4.4 miles of nearby infrastructure for flood control and resilience, and restore 73 acres of tidal wetland habitat along the Tillamook River.
“The Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is thrilled to receive this award to develop preliminary designs for ecosystem restoration and infrastructure improvements along Burton-Fraser Road. This project in the Tillamook River watershed will permanently protect and restore 73 acres of tidal wetlands and benefit 17 federally and/or state recognized species. In addition, these designs will provide a safe and sustainably designed “lifeline” road, that is situated where it won’t be impacted by nuisance flooding, high tides, or increased frequency of storms. We appreciate Senators Wyden and Merkley championing resilience for rural communities,” said Claudine Rehn, Deputy Director of Tillamook Estuaries Partnership.
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