06/30/2009

Associated Press

The U.S. Commerce secretary announced $7.3 million in stimulus money for Oregon to remove a dam in the Rogue River, restore salmon habitat in the Willamette River, and clean up old fishing gear in the ocean.

The money is part of $167 million going to 50 habitat restoration projects around the country from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said Tuesday.

The projects include $5 million to remove the Gold Ray Dam, a defunct hydroelectric dam built in 1905 outside Gold Hill. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has identified the dam as one of its top priorities for fish passage improvements. Fish currently must swim up a fish ladder to get over the dam.

Jackson County estimates the money will put to work 54 people at various times over the course of the 18-month project. An analysis of the sediment behind the dam has already begun, paid for by a $100,000 grant.

An additional $1.6 million will be spent to restore 21 acres of riparian and wetland habitat to provide refuge for chinook salmon.

In another project, crab fishermen will be paid from a $700,000 fund to remove 180 metric tons of derelict Dungeness crab pots and other fishing gear on the Oregon Coast.