Stream Crossings and Fish Passage Barriers
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Roads and Streams are the two linear features of the landscape--Roads link human settlements while streams following the path of least resistance downhill. Wherever Transportation Networks cross steams there is a risk that the road damages stream functions, or that the stream damages the road. Roads are fixed and stable. Streams are dynamic and evolving. Salmon use streams annually for spawners to reach spawning grounds, and for young to disperse and find forage and refuge. Roads cross streams using culverts and bridges, and the use of culverts creates a set of problems.
Notes
- In The Culverts Case Washington Tribes affirmed the obligation of the State of Washington to remove passage barriers that affect the treaty rights secured by Tribal Governments.
- MRSC Article on implications of the culvert case to Local Governments
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a fish passage engineering shop, and fish passage guidelines. (https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/habitat-recovery/fish-passage)
- Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board was created to oversee state funding among fish passage barriers
- WDFW has a 2013 fish passage barrier guidance
- Burns 2024 city of bellingham comments on WDFW culvert prioritization.pdf describes the tension between state-wide prioritization and the ongoing efforts of local governments.
- Culvert Replacement Regulatory Coordination was an unsuccessful effort that aimed to standardize regulatory review of stream crossings to reduce cost and uncertainty, to increase efficiency of culvert replacement.
Questions
- What are the best available datasets describing stream crossings?
