John Dodge of the Olympian has the story:
The state submitted 52 projects totalling more than $101 million in the competition for federal grants earmarked for salmon recovery and marine habitat repairs under the federal stimulus package.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has $170 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for coastal and marine habitat restoration projects nationwide.
“The need for this funding is especially great in Washington state, which is why I have endorsed a large number of grant proposals,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. There are 23 projects with a Puget Sound connection.
“These proposals represent the most important Puget Sound restoration projects that are ready to go,” said David Dicks, executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership, the state agency overseeing Puget Sound cleanup and protection efforts.
