Infrastructure money for bridges, roads diverted to waterfowl habitat restoration

Instead of infrastructure funds going to roads, highways and bridges, it is being diverted to waterfowl and fish in a basin shared by Oregon and California.

The grant opportunity, "Year 1 Klamath Funding Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service," was posted in early March and is the first such project for the basin being funded from the Infrastructure Law through 2026, according to a grant opportunity listed on Grants.

The Interior Department received $162 million in appropriations from the $1.2 trillion Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law specifically for the Klamath Basin, for "Restoration activities, including habitat restoration" and for planning, design, construction, engineering and development all for the "Conservation and recovery of endangered species" at the basin.

This specific grant seeks proposals that aim to restore the basin and the habitats for waterfowl, fish and other species.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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 grant opportunity states.

The Klamath Basin has been dubbed the "Everglades of the West" due to its "Biological diversity and importance to the Pacific Flyway as a staging area for millions of waterbirds on their spring and fall migrations," according to the grant.

"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," according to the grant.

The DOI indicated in the grant document that it will consider applications for the grant based on Biden's Justice40 initiative and focus on "Equity" and "Environmental justice." The DOI did not respond to a request for comment.
 

https://justthenews.com/accountability/waste-fraud-and-abuse/millions-infrastructure-money-bridges-and-roads-diverted