Originally published Friday, July 24, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Feds OK money to protect Sound

The state's Puget Sound protection and restoration plan has received a federal seal of approval that could help bring in tens of millions more in federal money.

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it had approved the state Puget Sound Action Agenda under its National Estuary Program, making it the feds' plan for restoration and protection of the Sound.

"Now we have a federally endorsed plan, and that means federal money coming into Puget Sound can be directed to implement the plan," said Tom Eaton, director, EPA Washington Operations Office in Olympia.

For starters, that means $20 million this year in the federal budget will fund efforts to protect and restore the Sound. It also could help leverage more federal money in the 2010 budget.

The House version of the budget includes $50 million for the Sound; the Senate would provide $20 million.

Times staff and news services

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