For immediate release

SPOKANE, Wash. (April, 17, 2009) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that the USDA will be providing $625,000 to improve fish passage along critical areas of Omak Creek, in Okanogan County. The funding comes as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

“President Obama is committed to improving water quality, creating more dependable water supplies and decreasing soil erosion and this funding will make a big difference in the lives of the people who live in these rural communities,” Vilsack said.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be providing technical assistance to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (CCT) throughout the project, which is expected to begin later this summer.

“The Omak Creek Watershed project has multiple objectives, including addressing water quality and fish habitat for two threatened and endangered anadromous fish species,” said NRCS State Conservationist Roylene Rides at the Door. “Specifically, the projects focus on addressing fish passage barriers such as man-made road crossing culverts,” she said.

Due to the significant cultural resource value to members of the Tribe, Rides at the Door said this is an especially important project. “Omak Creek is one of only a few streams remaining in the watershed capable of supporting steelhead trout and Spring Chinook salmon, both of which are threatened and endangered species in that area of Washington,” she said.

There are more than 9,800 Tribal members, and there are approximately 450 individuals living in the watershed who will directly benefit from the project, according to the NRCS. “By implementing these projects, an estimated 14 new jobs will be created during the construction time frame,” Rides at the Door said.

Throughout the country ARRA funds will be used to develop conservation measures such as planting vegetative cover and creating shallow water ponds to improve wildlife habitat, improving irrigation efficiency and conserving water, installing filter strips and soil erosion control practices, flood-proofing homes and enhancing stream corridor and floodplain function, and constructing small flood control dams.

USDA is directing technical and financial assistance available through this funding toward projects that are ready to begin and that will relieve stress on local economies through the creation of over 1,400 jobs nationwide.
 

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