Statement by Senator Maria Cantwell on the Introduction of the Pacific Salmon Stronghold Conservation Act of 2009

“I will continue the fight to protect this salmon recovery funding. But more must be done. A key purpose of this Act is to complement existing federal, state and local salmon recovery efforts by directing new federal resources to conserve healthy salmon populations. This legislation will utilize sound science to identify and sustain core centers of salmon abundance, productivity, and diversity in the healthiest remaining salmon ecosystems throughout the Pacific states.”

Applying the Salmon Stronghold Concept in Canada

“The Salmon Strongholds concept is meant to reinforce the vitality of salmon and steelhead habitat ecosystems through voluntary and locally-based initiatives, along with government agency participation. A particular focus of Salmon Strongholds is the purchase or property-rights arrangements (covenants, set-asides) of land at the landscape level with special significance or vulnerability for salmon.”

Oregon North Coast Salmon Conservation Assessment Final Report

Northwest Oregon’s coastal salmon runs have been historically strong, and a recent assessment by the North American Salmon Stronghold Partnership identified the Tillamook and Nehalem basins as producers of some of the strongest and most diverse wild runs in Oregon. Wild Salmon Center thus undertook this project to complete a more detailed analysis of areas with the strongest runs and best ecosystem condition, and to examine the degree to which the forested areas with salmon habitat are protected by land management that puts a high emphasis on natural resource conservation.