(Palmer) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Sport Fish is currently accepting proposals for the 2024 Mat-Su Habitat Rehabilitation & Protection Cost-Share Program. The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

The Mat-Su Habitat Rehabilitation & Protection Cost-Share Program, administered cooperatively by ADF&G and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is a financial incentive and educational outreach program directed towards private landowners and public land managers. The program provides technical expertise about rehabilitation practices, state and federal permitting assistance, and funding for salmon habitat rehabilitation 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 techniques and value of fish habitat. The program uses proven bioengineering techniques to help stabilize, revegetate, and rehabilitate streambanks and shorelines.

“This program provides an opportunity for landowners, land managers, and the public to get involved in protecting both their properties and important salmon habitat” stated Habitat Biologist Amy LaBarre. “Our goal is to educate people and at the same time provide fish-friendly alternatives to waterfront properties that are experiencing erosion. We facilitate making bioengineering solutions available, creating a win-win scenario for people as well as salmon.”

For a proposal form for the program and additional information, please contact the program biologist Amy LaBarre at (907) 267-2146 or by email at DFG.DSF.StreambankRehab@alaska.gov. Additional information is also available on the ADF&G Cost-Share Program webpage.

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