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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: <br />TOPIC: <br />ACTION REQUESTED: <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Arden Thomas <br />October 23, 2023 <br />Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Federal <br />Funding Letter of Support <br />Request to Approve the Resolution to Authorize <br />Chair Signature on a Funding Letter of Support <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Sign Resolution to Authorize Chair's Signature on Regional Fisheries Enhancement <br />Group Federal Funding Letter of Support <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• In 1990, the Washington State Legislature created the Regional Fisheries <br />Enhancement Group (RFEG) Program. <br />• The Kittitas County Flood Control Zone District partners with our local RFEG, <br />the Mid -Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group on projects that advance our <br />mutual goals. <br />The Mid -Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group has requested Kittitas County <br />sign a letter requesting federal funding support for RFEGs. <br />Staff has prepared a resolution to authorize Chair signature on behalf of the Board <br />of County Commissioners. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />In 1990, the Washington State Legislature created the Regional Fisheries Enhancement <br />Group (RFEG) Program to involve local communities, volunteers, and landowners in <br />salmon recovery efforts. The 14 RFEGs work within communities across the state. The <br />Mid -Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group works throughout the Yakima Basin and <br />partners with Kittitas County on projects that advance our mutual goals. <br />The RFEGs rely on federal funding for operational funding that supports non -grant <br />eligible expenses like project development and insurance. Since 2010, this operational <br />federal funding has decreased by about 30% in real dollars, not counting for inflation. <br />The Mid -Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group has requested Kittitas County sign the <br />Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Federal Funding Letter of Support. If Kittitas <br />County elects to sign the support letter, a digital signature is requested. <br />Page 1 of 4 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />