The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $4.9 million to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to support hatchery programs in the Columbia River Basin in Washington. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The cooperative agreement funds the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to operate and maintain six fish hatcheries and associated rearing ponds within the Columbia River Basin in Washington. The hatcheries and ponds are part of the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program, authorized by the Mitchell Act. Additionally, the agreement covers the necessary monitoring, evaluation and reform programs relating to these hatchery operations.

“We are constantly working to improve our understanding of the environment and to strengthen regional initiatives like those throughout the Columbia River,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This cooperative agreement allows Washington to manage their fisheries resources while actively supporting efforts that reinforce NOAA and the Bush Administration’s commitment to the environment.”

Each year, NOAA awards approximately $900 million in grants to members of the academic, scientific and business communities to assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to study the Earth’s natural systems to predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. NOAA goals and programs reflect a commitment to these basic responsibilities of science and service to the nation for the past 33 years.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit: http://www.noaa.gov.