We develop a multi-channel channel-optimized scheme for embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) image compression in a noisy transmission environment. A block-based modification for EZW is applied to improve the robustness of EZW, and to produce several coded bitstreams for transmission over multiple channels with different noise conditions. Then the respective channel noise is considered in the rate-distortion analysis, and the resultant rate-distortion functions are used for optimal bit allocation among the coded bitstreams. The case of burst noise is analyzed as an example.