Introduction to the Restoration & Enhancement Fund

The Yukon River Salmon Agreement authorizes U.S.-sponsored appropriations for funding programs in the U.S. and Canada which focus on the restoration, conservation and enhancement of Canadian-origin salmon stocks. In Canada, funding is also extended to projects and programs directed at developing stewardship salmon habitat & resources and maintaining viable fisheries within the Yukon River drainage. Through these efforts both countries hope to see a return to recent salmon harvest levels and the long-term sustainability of the salmon fisheries.
Appropriations (treaty implementation funds) to implement the provisions of the Agreement are enacted by the U.S. Congress through the Yukon River Salmon Act (U.S.) and include up to $US 4 million a year, of which $US 1.2 million goes to the Restoration and Enhancement Fund (R&E Fund). Currently, treaty implementation funds must be appropriated by the U.S. Congress each year. However, the Yukon River Salmon Act (U.S.) must only be reauthorized every few years.
The appropriations granted to the R&E Fund are managed by the Yukon River Panel to support efforts to increase understanding of the factors that affect Yukon River salmon health and abundance. According to the Agreement, of the $US 1.2 million, 50% shall be disbursed on Canadian programs and projects as approved by the Canadian section of the YR Panel, based on recommendations by the Canadian portion of the Joint Technical Committee. However, the full YR Panel must find these projects and programs to be consistent with the principles and guidelines laid out in the Agreement.
The full YR Panel decides how the remaining 50% of the R&E Fund should be allocated for programs and projects occurring either in Canada or the U.S. The remainder of the treaty implementation funds, $US 2.8 million, goes towards U.S. management efforts. Further implementation of Canadian responsibilities, as stated in the Agreement (i.e. YR Panel participation and management of fisheries), are supported by funds provided through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Canada.
The R&E Fund is guided by the following principles: Restoration, conservation and enhancement programs & projects shall be consistent with the protection of existing wild salmon stocks and the habitats upon which they depend; Given the wild nature of the Yukon River and its salmon stocks, and the substantial risks associated with the large-scale enhancement through artificial propagation, such enhancement activities are inappropriate at this time; and Artificial propagation shall not be used as a substitute for effective fishery regulation, stock, and habitat management or protection
The R&E funding process is initiated every fall with a Call for Conceptual Proposals. The JTC, after reviewing submitted proposals for technical merit, assists an R&E sub-committee to screen these conceptual proposals for the YR Panel. Based on the merits and appropriateness of the proposed project, the YR Panel decides which applicants should submit a full detailed proposal. These proposals are reviewed by the YR Panel and JTC members in mid-winter. Final funding decisions are made by the YR Panel in March. (For more information visit Current Projects or search past projects at R&E Projects)
The R&E sub-committee worked on a Budget Priorities Framework to identify areas where more knowledge and research is needed (Blewett, 2003). Criteria were set, by a representative group of JTC and YR Panel members, to prioritize the needs of salmon, to guide the R&E proposal process and to help distribute the R&E Fund. Seven areas, including: Conservation, Restoration, Enhancement, Stewardship, Viable fisheries Administration, and Communications have been established as areas of activity requiring R&E funding. Organizations interested in submitting a proposal for the R&E Fund are encouraged to contact the Executive Secretary of the YR Panel and agency technical staff. For more information about the application process visit R&E Applications.