Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.2 Million in Federal Support for Coastal Erosion Work in Lincoln County

Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.2 Million in Federal Support for Coastal Erosion Work in Lincoln County

Funds will support MidCoast Watersheds Council's work in Siletz and Yaquina Estuaries

Washington, D.C. - Today, Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is awarding $2,210,835 to the MidCoast Watersheds Council to restore 125 acres of tidal wetlands and 6.2 miles of stream channels across Oregon's Siletz and Yaquina estuaries in Lincoln County to enhance habitat for salmonids and buffer communities from storm surge.

Tidal wetlands on Oregon's central coast are increasingly threatened by coastal erosion, flooding, drought, and degraded water quality. The project will reduce flood risk and enhance sediment retention for local communities through floodplain reconnection, fish passage improvements, native plant and tidal channel restoration, large wood placement, and native Olympia oyster reef reestablishment.

"The health of Oregon's estuaries is vital to our state's ecosystems and communities," said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat on the spending subcommittee that oversees funding for NFWF. "This critical federal funding along with strong matching support will leverage MidCoast Watersheds Council's work in restoring tidal wetlands and reducing risk to the community at the same time."

"As extreme weather continues to disrupt fragile coastal ecosystems, Oregon's coastal communities suffer," said Wyden. "I applaud this federal award to the MidCoast Watersheds Council that improves the resilience of Oregon's Siletz and Yaquina estuaries, and I will continue to support programs that protect communities from the worsening effects of the climate crisis."

"The degradation of tidal wetlands has not only negatively affected our beloved and economically important fish and wildlife species, including our resident Chinook, coho, and chum salmon, but it has made coastal residents more vulnerable to storms, sea level rise, and coastal flooding. Restoring and protecting tidal wetlands not only helps all these critters, but everyone who lives, visits, or loves the Oregon coast," said Evan Hayduk, Executive Director of the MidCoast Watersheds Council (MCWC).

"I would like to congratulate Evan and Staff at MCWC for receiving this grant and look forward to seeing their restoration projects in the Siletz and Yaquina estuaries. I also want to acknowledge the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for their funding of these projects in Lincoln County," said Lincoln County Commissioner Walter Chuck.

The grant for MidCoast Watersheds Council comes from NFWF's National Coastal Resilience Fund, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In addition to the $2.2 million in federal funding, the project has secured $1,803,423 in matching funds, bringing the total project funds to $4,014,258.