Inlsee Proposes $187 Million for Salmon

Governor Jay Inslee is proposing an estimated $187 million in investments to protect Washington salmon and their habitat.

Inslee made his announcement Tuesday afternoon in La Connor.

Inslee's proposal would include $100 million to repair the banks of creeks and rivers, $27 million for salmon harvest monitoring and enforcement, and $5 million for hatchery improvements.

"We're going to prohibit new development in areas were it would be inconsistent with the need to restore and protect these habitats." stated Inslee, "We will work with land owners in areas where scientists think that (salmon habitat) needs the most help with the highest priority right now."

If the proposal is approved by the legislature in the upcoming short session, the state would explore reintroducing salmon above the Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams.

Inslee also called for assessing the impacts of hydroelectric dams along the Snake and Columbia rivers, as well as the impacts of removing the four lower Snake River dams.

Inslee's full proposal can be found here.