[ODFW-News] Funding available for water users to improve fish screens and fish passage

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 872-5700
	

For Immediate Release	Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Funding Available for Water Users to Improve Fish Screens and Fish Passage
Applications due July 15

PORTLAND - Water users who want to improve fish passage and install fish screens at water diversions can apply for funding through a cost-share program with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Screening and passage projects help increase survival of many native fish.

The cost-share program was created through the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Act of 2000 and is available to residents of Oregon as well as Idaho, Washington and western Montana. The USFWS administers the program and ODFW distributes the funds in Oregon for non-federal lands.

Water diversions and dams redirect water from streams and rivers for crop irrigation, flood control, hydroelectric power, drinking water, and other beneficial uses. These diversions can block fish migration, diverting the fish into pumps, pipes, irrigation canals and fields, and greatly reducing their survival. Fish screens placed at the entrance of water diversions can prevent fish from entering.

Fish screening or passage projects associated with water diversions that benefit native fish are eligible for funding consideration. Priority will be given to fish screens or fish passage projects associated with irrigation diversions and projects belonging to local governments such as irrigation districts and municipalities.

The project proposal may include modifications to the water diversion that are directly associated with screening or passage improvements. Project sponsors must identify at least 35 percent non-federal matching funds for the design and construction of an eligible project. 

In Oregon, water users also may be eligible to apply for ODFW funds to assist with the non-federal cost share. However, the applicant must provide at least 10 percent cost share that is neither federal nor state-funded through ODFW or the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Matching funds can include in-kind contributions. 

Application forms are currently available and must be received by July 15, 2003. Application information is posted on the ODFW Web site at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrFish/screen_passage_grants.htm .

Information and application forms may also be obtained through the following people: 

·	Bob Hair, ODFW screen shop at The Dalles, (541) 296-8026 or Bob.R.Hair at state.or.us;
·	Joe Vawter, ODFW screen shop at John Day, (541) 575-0561 or Joseph.L.Vawter at state.or.us;
·	Rich Kilbane, ODFW screen shop at Central Point, (541) 826-8774, Ext. 243, or Rich.m.kilbane at state.or.us
·	Douglas DeHart, USFWS, (503) 231-2386 or douglas_dehart at fws.gov.

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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 872-5264 ext 5528