Year 1 Klamath Funding Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law US Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is soliciting proposals for restoration activities in the Klamath Basin of Southern Oregon and Northern California. Proposals must demonstrate how the proposed restoration will improve conditions and achieve habitat restoration for waterfowl and/or native fish and wildlife species, and other aquatic species throughout the Klamath Basin.

The headwaters of the Klamath River start in Oregon in the arid mountains east of the Cascade Range in southern Oregon. Downstream of the headwaters, these waters support one of the largest lake-wetlands complexes in the western U.S. The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex (which comprise six National Wildlife Refuges in total) has been referred to as the “Everglades of the West” because of its biological diversity and importance to the Pacific Flyway as a staging area for millions of waterbirds on their spring and fall migrations.

Downstream of Upper Klamath Lake, the Klamath River flows through steep forested mountains of Northern California where it eventually meets the sea near the town of Klamath, CA. The Klamath River once supported the third most productive salmon run on the West Coast of the United States. Today, Klamath Basin fisheries are in decline including spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon, and there are several species of fish on the Endangered Species list such as Lost River and shortnose suckers, bull trout, and coho salmon and other Tribal trust species.

This funding opportunity is intended for projects and activities that support or will help improve river, riparian, lake, and wetland habitats, which historically supported millions of fish, waterfowl, and other native wildlife. The Service invites project proposals that fall within the entire Klamath Basin drainage from the headwaters to the mouth of the Klamath River.

Klamath Basin stakeholders have a long history of working together on restoration activities, and have also undertaken the enormous challenge of resolving major natural resource conflicts in the Klamath Basin.

Applicants are, therefore, encouraged to submit project proposals that seek out and/or build upon opportunities for collaboration with other conservation partners in the Klamath Basin. As such, the Service is encouraging project proposals to include letters of support from project partners, stakeholders, and other contributors describing their support and any role they may have in assisting with the project.

Endorsement letters will help the Service judge whether projects are widely supported. The Service encourages project proposals to include letters of support from local Tribes, Counties and other local governments, States or State Agencies, and other conservation partners. Special consideration will also be given to restoration projects proposed on tribal lands or those that may affect tribes and/or their lands.

DOI is committed to equity and environmental justice in program delivery and explicitly seeks to ensure that all projects provide direct, meaningful benefits consistent with Justice40 and other related initiatives.  Applications will be considered accordingly.