The last issue of Trout magazine had an article titled "The Culvert Challenge". Did you read it?
In an ironic sort of way, ODFW is asking for comments on ODOT culvert projects - simply they are negotiating a three year 'pass' for ODOT on overdue projects.
Is this DEFERRED MAINTENANCE? Seems to be in a round-about sort of way....the one benefit is some funding for high-priority passage projects which may not have a chance otherwise? Take a read....
ODFW seeks comment on 3-year fish passage agreement with ODOT
July 31, 2014
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(ODFW) is seeking public comment on a proposed fish passage agreement
between the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The proposed three-year pilot
would allow ODOT to perform culvert repairs while providing improved
passage at each repair location and strategically target high priority
fish passage projects located off the ODOT road system.
According to ODOT culvert inventories on state highways,
roughly one-third of the 35,000 culverts on the state highway system
are in poor condition and in need of repair. Under current ODFW fish
passage policy significant culvert repairs trigger fish passage
requirements, which typically require replacement of the existing
culvert with a larger culvert or bridge.
According to Greg Apke, ODFW Fish Passage Program
coordinator, this three-year agreement will allow ODOT to make specified
culvert repairs without requiring full fish passage criteria
compliance. As part of the agreement, ODOT would improve fish passage
conditions at each site they repair, and pay 1.8 million dollars into an
ODFW-managed account that would fund high priority fish passage
projects. In addition, ODOT would fund a new transportation liaison
position, managed by ODFW, to coordinate the agreement’s implementation.
Apke added that ODFW believes this approach will provide
a net benefit to native migratory fish over current practices as the
agreement mandates that ODOT provide incremental fish passage
improvements at culvert repair sites, and funding for high priority fish
passage projects on the ODFW statewide priority list. In exchange, the
agreement allows ODOT to perform cost effective short-term culvert
repairs. Monitoring during the pilot period will evaluate the impacts on
fish and the effectiveness of the culvert repairs.
The proposed three-year agreement is currently being
reviewed by the Fish Passage Task Force and will be presented to the
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for approval in October. Members of
the public have until Aug. 21, 2014 to submit written comments on the
proposed agreement for consideration by the Fish Passage Task Force. The
agreement and supporting materials can be viewed at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/.
Members of the public can send written comments to or
request additional information from Greg Apke, ODFW Fish Passage Program
Coordinator, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr., SE Salem, OR 97302, e-mail, Greg.D.Apke@.dfw.state.or.us, by calling (503) 947-6228 or to Ken Loffink, ODFW Assistant Fish Passage Program Coordinator, email, Ken.J.Loffink@state.or.us, or by calling (503) 947-6256.
Contact:
Greg Apke (503) 947-6228
Ken Loffink (503) 947-6256
Alan Ritchey (503) 947-6229
Jessica Sall (503) 947-6023
Greg Apke (503) 947-6228
Ken Loffink (503) 947-6256
Alan Ritchey (503) 947-6229
Jessica Sall (503) 947-6023
Comment if you feel compelled - they asked afterall!
