Fish Barrier Removal

There are an estimated 40,000 man-made fish passage barriers in Washington State that block thousands of miles of vital spawning and rearing habitat for salmon. These barriers often occur where streams cross roads through undersized or damaged culverts. Culverts are typically large pipes that allow water to pass under roadways, but may fail due to lack of maintenance or changes to the landscape. Undersized or inadequate culverts often block salmon and steelhead from migrating upstream, and present flood risks to landowners. This includes culverts that are installed too high above the stream bed, in shallow water, or that are too steep or narrow and cause a stream to flow too fast for upstream fish migration. These fish passage barriers also contribute to flooding, disrupt transportation and commerce, damage property, and pose a threat to human health and safety.

The Tulalip Tribes Restoration, Acquisition and Stewardship Program works with willing landowners on and off the Tulalip reservation to restore fish passage, reduce flood risks, and enhance human health and safety. These projects benefit fish and landowners through the removal or replacement of fish passage culverts and the installation of larger culverts or bridges that are an amenity to the landowner. We work with willing landowners to identify priority fish passage barriers, obtain grant funding, and collaboratively design and implement fish passage barrier correction projects, typically at no cost to landowners.

We are interested in working with landowners in all areas that affect Tulalip Treaty Reserved Resources, including the Snohomish and Stillaguamish River Basins. This includes the Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Pilchuck watersheds and their tributaries. Please contact us if you are interested in determining a barrier’s eligibility for correction located on your property.

Contact

• Natasha Coumou

  Restoration Ecologist

• Matt Pouley

  Restoration Biologist