Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon will receive about $1.6 million dollars in federal funds to preserve coastal wetlands.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife department allocated the money to buy land at Nehalem Bay, in Tillamook County.

The targets are Bott's Marsh and North Nehalem Bay. The money's intended to buy about 53 acres and protect the area from possible development.

Amy Gaskill is with U.S. Fish and Wildlife. She says the areas in question can directly help young salmon survive and thrive.

Amy Gaskill: "This is hugely valuable to work with partners, bring people together, to protect and enhance and restore some of these very important coastal areas for the future of salmonids and keeping those salt water marshes in tact."

Fish and Wildlife gave about $20 million total in grants from a nation-wide coastal wetlands program.

Oregon's money is matched by another million from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the Trust for Public Land and the Lower Nehalem Community Trust. 

Washington received even more from than Oregon, about $7 million.