DESCRIPTION
This project is to remove 3 33% passable fish passage barrier culverts on Bush Creek and replace them with structures that are fully passable to all aquatic species and life stages. Together, they will open a total of 8.44 miles of upstream spawning and rearing habitat for 5 species of salmonids. Project designs and permitting are funded under SRFB Grant #17-1184; this application is for construction funds only.
This project removed three 33% passable fish passage barrier culverts on Bush Creek 3 miles north of Elma, Washington, and replace them with structures that are fully passable to all aquatic species and life stages. Together, they opened a total of 8.44 miles of upstream spawning and rearing habitat for 5 species of salmonids. Project designs and permitting were funded under SRFB Grant #17-1184; this application was for construction funds only. Sites are #125 1805W17A, W19A and W19B.
Fish passage barrier culverts are identified as a Tier 1 limiting factor in the Cloquallum Subbasin tributaries, including Bush Creek, according to the Chehalis Basin Salmon Habitat Restoration and Preservation Strategy for WRIA 22 and 23, Grays Harbor County Lead Entity Habitat Work Group, 2011, pg. 96. The associated action in the Strategy is to correct barrier culverts. According to the same plan, culverts falling within the upper third of the basin's ranked barrier list are high priority for correction (pg. 195). All 3 projects are in the top 3% of the Lead Entity basin ranking. This project had two work types, two culverts and one bridge. The culverts were installed on the Grays Harbor County Road-Bush Creek Road and the bridge was installed on a private parcel upstream of the two county road culverts. No changes to project design or funding.