OLYMPIA – The Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board is now accepting proposals for projects to remove barriers that prevent salmon and steelhead from swimming upstream.

The board will host an online workshop from 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 9, to provide an overview of the grant program and review the application process. People also may attend by phone by calling 253-205-0468 and entering meeting ID 894-8399-8846.

Created by the Legislature in 2014, the board coordinates the removal of fish passage barriers on state, local, tribal, and private land that block salmon and steelhead access to prime spawning and rearing habitat. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) estimates that at least 20,000 barriers either partially or fully block salmon from reaching their spawning grounds in Washington.

WDFW and the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) jointly administer the board’s grant program, which has invested more than $121 million in projects to remove barriers to migrating fish since its inception.

“For the past 10 years, these grants have reduced barriers to salmon and steelhead migration around the state,” said Kaylee Kautz, manager of the board. “In that time, we’ve opened nearly 179 miles of habitat to salmon. That’s good news for these fish.”

“These grants are critical to tackling this problem,” said Megan Duffy, RCO director. “One barrier might not seem significant, but each barrier we can remove gives fish a better chance to access historic habitat to produce the next generation of fish and ensure the survival of their species.”

The board will accept applications through Jan. 26. For more information about the grant application process and requirements, visit RCO’s website.

Project proposals go through a robust review process, including administrative review by RCO, technical review by WDFW, and final approval by the board.

Following the board’s review, the board will submit a ranked list of projects to the Legislature for funding in the 2027-29 biennium. Funding comes from the sale of state bonds and the Natural Climate Solutions Account.

Board members include representatives from the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Transportation and Natural Resources; Washington State Association of Counties; Association of Washington Cities; the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office; the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; and the salmon recovery Council of Regions.

The board is named after Brian Abbott, a lifelong angler and salmon recovery leader who spearheaded the creation of the board while serving as executive coordinator of the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. To learn more, visit WDFW’s website.

WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

RCO is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state’s wildlife habitat and working farms and forests, and help recover salmon and orcas.