Efforts to restore Pacific salmon habitats along the U.S. West Coast are accelerating due to significant funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Historically, log jams created essential cold-water refuges for salmon during their upstream spawning journeys, but human activities have degraded these habitats. In Oregon, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe are using engineered log jams to replicate these natural features, completing over 30 projects in 20 years. Recent federal funding has enabled plans for 80 additional log jams within three years.
The primary funding source, the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), saw a nearly 50% budget increase from the BIL and IRA, with additional allocations supporting fish passage improvements and habitat restoration nationwide. In 2023, NOAA Fisheries awarded $240 million to 46 projects, emphasizing tribal involvement and broader ecosystem benefits. While demand for funding exceeds availability, the Biden administration continues prioritizing salmon recovery, focusing on the Columbia River Basin and tribal partnerships. Conservationists remain optimistic about the long-term impact of these investments on salmon populations and ecosystems.