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September 16, 2021
SALEM, Ore.— ODFW is seeking public comments on a request to exempt the fish passage requirements at a culvert on Hwy 281, milepost 0.845, in Hood River County.
Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) emergency repairs at the Indian Creek culvert at OR281 MP 0.845 triggered Oregon’s State fish passage requirements.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife may grant fish passage waivers at locations if mitigation is performed that provides a net benefit to native migratory fish greater than what would be achieved if fish passage was provided at the waiver site. ODOT proposes to remove two water diversion structures, remove and replace a road crossing to full fish passage, and move a water return line upstream, adding additional flow instream on Evans Creek, also in Hood River County, as mitigation for not providing fish passage at the waiver site. The waiver documents, a net benefit analysis and other information can be found here: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/task_force.asp
Indian Creek could provide passage for cutthroat trout if passage were provided at the culvert location. ODFW has made the initial determination that providing the proposed mitigation package at Evans Creek will provide a greater benefit to native migratory fish than providing passage at Indian Creek.
The Fish Passage Task Force will be asked to consider the waiver application and provide a recommendation to the Department at a Fish Passage Task Force Meeting on Oct. 15, 2021.
Written public comments may be submitted through Oct. 7, 2021. Members of the public can send written comments to or request additional information from Pete Baki, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr, Salem, OR 97302, email Pete.baki@odfw.oregon.gov, or by calling 503-586-9827.
There will also be an opportunity for public comment at the Fish Passage Task Force meeting on Oct. 15, 2021. If you wish to provide a verbal public comment, you must pre-register 48 hours in advance of the meeting (details on registration will be available closer to the meeting).
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