Senator Murray Provides $5 Million in Funding for Water Restoration Projects in Puget Sound and Green and Duwamish Rivers

(Washington D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she has included $5 million in funding for water restoration projects in Western Washington. The funding will go toward projects in the Puget Sound and Green and Duwamish Rivers. The funding was included in the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Senator Murray is a senior member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee. 

The projects Murray secured funding for will be performed by the Army Corp of Engineers. The President did not include any funding for either of these critical Washington state projects in his 2008 budget request. 

Green and Duwamish River Ecosystem Restoration – $2 million

This funding will go toward river basin restoration that is supported by King County, the cities of Kent, Tukwilla, Covington, Renton, and numerous other cities and communities. The Green/Duwamish basin has experienced vast changes due to urbanization of the lower watershed, filling of the estuary, construction of dams, and heavy industrial and residential development in the area. Natural habitats for fish and wildlife have been destroyed.  This restoration project is a comprehensive program for the entire Green/Duwamish ecosystem from the tidal estuaries to the spawning and wildlife habitat areas in the upper basin. 

“This funding will improve our environment, assist in the recovery of endangered salmon, and advance the economic interests of the area," said Senator Murray. "I am glad that I have been able to support the efforts of King County and the many communities along these rivers who are committed to restoration efforts."

Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters – $3 million

These funds will continue a habitat restoration program throughout the Puget Sound basin. The goal of the Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Restoration Program is to recover ecosystem processes and habitats that have been altered or destroyed through development within the basin. To achieve this goal, projects will be prioritized based on criteria developed in consultation with tribal governments, Federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders.

"It is so important that we invest in counteracting the environmental impacts that industrialization and urbanization have had on state treasures like the Puget Sound," said Senator Murray. "These funds will go toward restoring the habitats of many vital species in the Puget Sound basin."