(Palmer) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Sport Fish is currently accepting applications for the 2019 Matanuska-Susitna Habitat Restoration and Protection Cost-Share Program. The application submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018.

The Matanuska-Susitna Habitat Restoration and Protection Cost-Share Program, administered cooperatively by ADF&G and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, is a financial incentive and educational outreach program directed towards private landowners and public land managers. The program provides technical expertise about restoration practices, state and federal permitting assistance, and funding for salmon habitat restoration and protection projects along lake shorelines and streambanks in the Mat-Su Borough. Funds are limited and not all projects can be funded; however, if selected, landowners could have up to 2/3 of the cost of their project reimbursed. Additionally, ADF&G staff provides educational opportunities to landowners, public land managers, and the public on the components and value of fish habitat. The program uses proven bioengineering techniques to help stabilize, revegetate, and rehabilitate streambanks and shorelines.

“This is great opportunity for the public to get assistance to help cover the cost of streambank restoration,” stated Habitat Biologist Jessica Johnson, “By participating in the program you will be helping support and maintain healthy juvenile salmon habitat and populations.”

For an application and additional information, please contact the program’s Habitat Biologist Jessica Johnson at (907) 267-2403 or by email at jessica.johnson@alaska.gov. Additional information is also available on the ADF&G Cost Share Program webpage.

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