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August 21, 2015
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comment on a request to exempt from fish passage requirements a proposed bridge replacement on McMullin Creek, a tributary to Deer Creek in the Illinois River Basin located near Selma, OR. Comments are due by Sept. 11, 2015.
The existing bridge located on Lakeshore Dr. and owned by Josephine County, crosses McMullin Creek immediately downstream of the Lake Selmac Dam. The county has proposed replacing the existing bridge with a new bridge, triggering ODFW fish passage requirements.
According to Ken Loffink, ODFW assistant fish passage coordinator, ODFW may grant the exemption if there is no appreciable benefit to fish from providing passage. Currently, coho, steelhead, and cutthroat trout are found in McMullin Creek downstream of the Lakeshore Dr. Bridge. However, the Lake Selmac Dam is located approximately 100 feet upstream of the bridge, and the dam spillway extends downstream to and beneath the bridge. The dam and spillway is a complete barrier to all native migratory fish.
Because there is a complete barrier immediately upstream, Loffink said ODFW has determined that even if fish passage was provided at the proposed new bridge, the action would not result in any appreciable benefit to native migratory fish.
Therefore, unless the agency receives public comment that would affect its determination, the exemption request will be approved. If, in the future, a trigger occurs at the Lake Selmac Dam, passage would be required at Lake Selmac and the exemption at Lakeshore Dr. would likely be revoked. Fish passage exemptions can be revoked and fish passage required if an appreciable benefit to native migratory fish develops in the future.
In the meantime, members of the public will have until Sept. 11, 2015 to submit written comments on the proposed plan. The fish passage exemption application and the Department’s benefit analysis are available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/.
Members of the public can send written comments to or request additional information from Ken Loffink, ODFW Assistant Fish Passage Program Coordinator, 3406 NE Cherry Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97303, e-mail, Ken.J.Loffink@state.or.us, or by calling (503) 947-6256. ### |
