A project to protect wetlands on Afognak Island near Kodiak will receive a $1 million federal grant, after being named one of 21 projects nationwide to receive support under an Interior Department program. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell’s office announced the joint award to the state Department of Natural Resources and the Great Land Thursday, as part of the National Coastal Grants Wetlands Conservation Grants Program. A total of $16.2 million in federal funds for the competitively selected projects, in 12 states and Puerto Rico, will be matched by $18.2 million from local governments, conservation groups and other interests. According to Jewell, the grants -- which range from $310,000 to $1 million each -- improve not only local fish and bird habitat but also water quality, storm surge preparedness and economies. “These grants, funded through excise taxes paid by anglers and boaters, give us the opportunity to join with states and territories and other partners to conserve and restore these areas that are so vital to our environment and our quality of life,” Jewell said in the statement. A list of the winning projects (PDF) on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's website indicates that the Alaska grant will help protect 2,585 acres of wetlands in five northeastern parcels of Afognak Island. The federal grant will receive a total match of $4,182,000 from other sources, as part of the first stage to cover unprotected parts of Perenosa Bay, as well as areas between the Kodiak Island National Wildlife Refuge and Afognak Island State Park. “Conservation of these lands will protect sensitive and declining coastal wetlands, estuarine and near shore habitat for Salmonids, (Steller) sea lions, and Steller eider,” officials wrote. “This project is supported by numerous conservation plans, including the USFWS Comprehensive Salmon Plan, and the ADNR Kodiak Area Plan.” Other jurisdictions receiving funds, raised under a Sport Fish Restoration Act tax on motorboats, small engine fuel and fishing equipment, include: Alabama, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
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