美國內政部長坎培松(Dirk Kempthorne)3日宣佈，國家沿海溼地保育金將在2008年挹注29個保育計畫，涵蓋沿海溼地面積將近1萬英畝，金額達2050萬美元。 這筆經費將用於設置、復育和營造沿海溼地，希望達到永續保育魚群、野生動植物和棲地的目標。
「溼地保育有多重實質效益，沿海溼地不僅過濾污染物、吸收颶風時巨浪對海岸的侵蝕力，也是許多魚種和野生物的棲息地，和數百萬美國人重要休憩娛樂地點。」 坎培松如此表示。
包括加州、夏威夷、奧瑞岡、華盛頓、德州、伊例諾、密西根、威斯康辛、馬里蘭、麻州和波多黎各聯邦將獲得這筆經費。
這筆聯邦經費將匯集州政府、地方政府、地主、和保育團體眾多經費來源，預計款項最後將達4600萬美元。
漁業曁野生動物局是計畫執行單位，經費使用受保護和復育條例的「1990沿海溼地計畫」監督——該條例源於「釣魚復育計畫」，經費來源包括釣魚器材、摩托艇拖車、和小引擎燃料的運動稅。
漁業曁野生動物局局長霍爾(Dale Hall)表示，「沿海溼地孕育的動植物種數量相當可觀，而我認為人類也在其中。」
加州有3個溼地計畫得到100萬美元補助，包括佔地2320英畝的Sears Point溼地和集水區復育計畫、35英畝的馬里布潟湖復育和人工溼地計畫，和位於南舊金山灣區涵蓋730英畝的Eden Landing鹽湖潮間溼地復育計畫。
Twenty-nine conservation projects encompassing nearly 10,000 acres of coastal wetlands will be funded with $20.5 million from 2008 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced Friday.
The grants will be used to acquire, restore or enhance coastal wetlands to provide long-term conservation benefits to fish, wildlife and habitat.
"The projects offer enormous benefits," Secretary Kempthorne said. "Coastal wetlands filter pollution, reduce storm surge from hurricanes, protect coastlines from erosion, provide habitat for many species of fish and wildlife, and offer recreational opportunities for millions of Americans."
States receiving funds include California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Maryland, and Massachusetts, along with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
These federal grants will be matched by nearly $46 million in partner contributions from state and local governments, private landowners and conservation groups.
The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and funded under provisions of the 1990 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, drawing from Sport Fish Restoration Act revenue - money generated from an excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels.
The number of plant and animal species that rely on coastal wetlands for their health and well-being is remarkable, and I include people among that group," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall.
Projects funded by the 2008 grant program include one million dollars for each of three California projects - the 2,320 acre Sears Point wetlands and watershed restoration, the 35 acre Malibu Lagoon restoration and enhancement project, and the 730 acre Eden Landing Salt Ponds tidal wetland restoration project in South San Francisco Bay.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
