SFEG partnered with Island County Public Works to complete preliminary desigsn for two fish barrier culverts (#1893 and 1894) under Race Road near Coupeville WA and a private crossing immediately downstream of culvert #1894. Removal of these fish passage barriers will open up critical rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids including ESA-listed Threatened Chinook as well as pink, Coho, and chum salmon. These two coastal streams drain to Race Lagoon which has been identified as important pocket estuary habitat for outmigrating salmon from the Skagit, Stillaguamish, and Snohomish Rivers. Pocket estuaries and small coastal streams such as these provide important feeding, resting, and and refuge habitat as juvenile salmon transition from freshwater to saltwater habitat. These culverts were identified during the Culvert Prioritization Inventory conducted by SFEG and Island County during which time a Chinook smolt was found in the stream above culvert #1893. Fish passage barrier removal is one of the most rapid and cost-effective ways of increasing the amount of accessible habitat for salmon. With grant funds, SFEG contracted with Chinook Engineering to complete preliminary designs for new fish passable structures at culverts 1893 and 1894, and to design a small bridge crossing and channel meander immediately downstream of culvert 1894 to enable fish passage. Multiple studies were done including the geotech work necessary to complete the designs and further fish use surveys in partnership with SRSC to document salmonid use in Race Lagoon. A basis of design report was completed and the preliminary designs were completed for both sites. However, the private landowner was not in agreement for the pathway of the meander downstream of culvert 1894. As such, Island County is continuing to forge ahead with new SRFB funds to complete a final design and fix the passage problem at the 1893 crossing and not the 1894 crossing at this time. SFEG will continue to work with the private landowner on a range of alternatives for the enhancement necessary on their land before the 1894 crossing can be fixed. In addition, SFEG will continue to work with the landowners upstream of these culvert crossings who are interested in additional wetland and riparian restoration upstream of these culverts as a future project.