The wild salmon center will be awarded up to $5,972,052 for five projects that will restore access for native migratory species and restore the resilience of public infrastructure at 10 road crossings

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the Wild Salmon Center a cooperative agreement totaling $5,972,052 on October 1, 2026, under the Habitat Conservation program (CFDA 11.463) to restore fish passage and aquatic habitat across Oregon's Coast Range.

The award funds five projects at ten road crossings that will restore native migratory fish access to 8.6 miles of historical stream habitat and 22.95 acres of critical wetland habitat in the Coos, Siletz, Nestucca, and Nehalem watersheds. The work is designed to improve coho salmon passage and productivity in essential fish habitat, supporting recovery of wild coho populations that have enabled open sport fisheries beyond hatchery fish. The projects advance socioeconomic benefits for Oregon tribal nations and rural coastal communities.

Work is performed in Portland, Oregon, with a period of performance through September 30, 2029. The Community-Based Restoration Program provides the funding mechanism for this three-year cooperative agreement.

The projects will restore access to 8.6 miles of historical stream habitats and 22.95 acres of critical wetland habitats to promote the recovery of coho salmon across four oregon coast watersheds: the coos, siletz, nestucca, and nehalem. All five projects will improve coho salmon passage and productivity in essential fish habitat. Coho salmon are a popular sport fish, and rebounding numbers have led to open fisheries for wild fish, not just hatchery fish. Projects advance socioeconomic goals for tribes and rural coastal communities. This work is being funded by the community-based restoration program.