September 16, 2021
SALEM, Ore – ODFW is seeking public comments on a request to exempt the fish passage requirements for the following Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) culvert in Benton County:
ODOT emergency repairs at the Unnamed Tributary to Fall Creek culvert at OR34 MP 26.8 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 an appreciable benefit to native migratory fish greater than what would be achieved if fish passage was provided at the waiver site. ODOT proposes to replace a culvert on OR34 at Ryder and improve passage conditions for native migratory fish.
OR34 MP26.8 could provide passage for cutthroat trout, Pacific lamprey, Coho salmon and winter steelhead if passage were provided at the culvert location. ODFW has made the initial determination that providing the proposed mitigation package at Ryder Creek will provide a greater benefit to native migratory fish than providing passage at the Unnamed Tributary to Fall 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.
Project details, the fish passage application and the ODFW net benefit analysis and supporting information can be found on the Fish Passage Task Force Web Site (https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/task_force.asp).
Written public comments may be submitted through Oct. 7, 2021. Send written comments 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 how to register available closer to meeting).
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