(Palmer) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Sport Fish is currently accepting proposals for the 2020 Mat-Su Valley Habitat Restoration & Protection Cost-Share Program. The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2019.

The Mat-Su Habitat Restoration & 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 restoration practices, state and federal permitting assistance, and funding for salmon habitat restoration and protection projects along streambanks on the Mat-Su Borough. Funds are limited and not all projects can be funded; however, selected landowners could have up to 2/3 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 and funds proven bioengineering techniques such as coir logs, willow plantings, cabled spruce trees rootwads, and elevated light penetrating walkways to help stabilize, revegetate, and rehabilitate streambanks.

“Fall is here, which means it’s time for landowners to submit their proposals for the 2020 Mat-Su Habitat Restoration & Protection Program. The deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2019” stated Habitat Biologist Jessica Johnson. “Even if you are unsure of what needs to be done to help your bank, please contact me so we can discuss your streambank or shoreline. Any little bit a landowner can do to rehabilitate or protect their banks helps support and maintain healthy juvenile salmon habitat and their populations.”

For an application and additional information, please contact the program’s Habitat Biologist Jessica Johnson at (907) 267-2403 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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