$3.8M Awarded for Habitat Restoration in Teanaway, Upper Columbia, and Wenatchee Regions
Washington state has received $18.5 million in federal funding for critical habitat conservation through the America the Beautiful Challenge. Key projects include restoring salmon and steelhead habitats in the Teanaway River watershed, revitalizing culturally significant redband trout populations in the Sanpoil River, and enhancing forest health and aquatic ecosystems in the Upper Wenatchee area. These efforts will improve wildlife resilience, address barriers to fish migration, and promote sustainable forest management. The funding highlights a commitment to conserving ecosystems, supporting tribal communities, and advancing the 30x30 conservation goal of protecting 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
Rose Ganshert
Federal funding totaling $18.5 million has been awarded to six tribal and natural resource organizations in Washington state to support habitat conservation projects, including significant investments in the Teanaway River, Sanpoil River, and Upper Wenatchee areas. These projects, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) America the Beautiful Challenge, aim to conserve critical habitats and enhance ecosystem resilience.
Teanaway Forks Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Restoration
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) received $3,805,400 to revitalize five miles of steelhead, Chinook, and coho salmon spawning and rearing habitat in the West and Middle Forks of the Teanaway River. The project will involve berm removal and the installation of up to 2,500 large wood structures, transforming the river corridors into diverse and productive habitats while enhancing groundwater storage.
WDFW will contribute $423,200 in matching funds to support this effort.
“The Teanaway River watershed has some of the best and coldest streams for steelhead, Chinook, and coho in the Yakima River Basin. This funding will help remove barriers to salmon migration and improve habitat to support fish spawning and rearing,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell.
Sen. Patty Murray added, “This project will be transformative for endangered salmon and steelhead in the Teanaway River—revitalizing miles of spawning habitat and helping to create a healthier and more robust ecosystem.”
Sanpoil River Redband Trout Habitat Restoration
The Colville Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department was awarded $3,486,400 for habitat restoration in the Upper Columbia and Sanpoil River areas. The project will restore redband trout and other native fish habitats through the use of large woody debris, engineered log jams, livestock fencing, and riparian plant restoration.
“Redband trout are culturally significant to the Colville Tribes, and restoring populations is important to meeting the Tribes’ subsistence needs,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This funding will support the Tribes’ efforts to revitalize Redband trout and other native fish species in the Upper Columbia River Basin.”
Sen. Murray emphasized the project’s cultural and ecological importance, stating, “This grant will make a big difference in restoring native trout populations and habitat in the Upper Columbia and Sanpoil River, which is absolutely critical for Colville Tribal Members who rely on redband trout as an essential part of their culture, diet, and way of life.”
Upper Wenatchee Forest Health and Habitat Improvements
The Chelan County Natural Resource Department (CCNRD) secured $1.5 million to address forest health and aquatic restoration in the Upper Wenatchee Landscape. Efforts will include forest health treatments on 5,000 acres, 30 miles of aquatic restoration, and nine aquatic-organism passage projects across 15,000 acres in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
“The Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest is a hotspot every wildfire season—improving the health of the forest makes the habitat more resilient,” noted Sen. Cantwell.
Sen. Murray highlighted the forest's importance, saying, “The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of Washington state’s natural treasures. I’m glad we’re able to deliver this funding to invest in the long-term health of the forest, sustain local species and habitat, and ensure that generations to come can continue to enjoy and rely on this majestic natural resource.”
Investing in Washington’s Natural Resources
These projects are part of a larger effort under the America the Beautiful Challenge, which aims to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The funding will not only protect critical ecosystems but also support local economies, Tribal communities, and collaborative conservation efforts across the state.
