The following section provides information on nutrient management and details on how to apply and maintain each practice for optimal performance.
S.R.R.P.
Salmon Recovery Riparian Program
Title
The Salmon Recovery Riparian Program (SRRP) is a voluntary and streamlined program designed for landowners who are interested in receiving support for planting riparian buffers, but may not qualify for CREP.
The program is designed with landowner needs in mind, and aims to increase opportunities for citizen engagement and stewardship in the recovery of salmon in Whatcom County.
SRRP hosts a simple, easy to understand landowner agreement and more flexible buffer width than the CREP program.
Keep scrolling to learn more details about the program, or click the link below if you are interested in enrolling.
Funding
Last year, the Washington Legislature approved $10 million to be used as incentive-based funding for salmon recovery projects in the first half of 2023. This is a landmark achievement and is the result of successful riparian projects, recovery teams, research, lobbying, voting, and citizen participation.
Funding will help pay for outreach efforts, contractor work & equipment, and enrollment bonuses.
Planting
Salmon recovery all starts with native plants. Planting native species in areas where salmon are present significantly increases the water quality, clarity, and nutrient content, thereby securing safe passage for our critically endangered salmon to reproduce in the wild. Healthy salmon populations directly coincide with healthy orca populations, as salmon are their main source of food.
Maintaining
After successful approval and planting, the maintenance of added plants generally defaults to the contractor assigned to the site. Taking advantage of the limited time SRRP is a great way to steward your land without breaking the bank or having to spend time and labor on the project yourself.
Benefits
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Restore & protect critical fish habitat
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Increasing & protecting water quality
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Providing attractive borders
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Stream bank stabilization
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Increasing privacy
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Increasing protection from noise & wind
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Carbon sequestration
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Creating travel corridors for a wide range of wildlife
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Reducing erosion
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Lowering water temperature
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Invasive species removal
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Creating shade
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Active ecological stewardship
