The South Santiam, Calapooia, Luckiamute, Marys River, and North Santiam Watershed Councils have been recommended to receive over $8.7 million in funding from the Department of Commerce and NOAA to restore fish passage in the Mid-Willamette region.

Proposed funding will restore fish passage to 18 different sites in the Mid-Willamette, opening up access to 43 miles of high quality spawning and rearing habitat for a variety of native fish, including Upper Willamette River spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead trout, which are both listed under the Endangered Species Act. The funding would also help to develop permit-ready designs for another 6.7 miles of habitat.

In the South Santiam, fish passage will be improved or restored at 4 road crossings with perched, undersized or failing culverts. At two locations, existing culverts will be replaced by appropriately sized fish-friendly culverts. At the other two locations, culverts will be replaced by bridges.

In addition to restoring access to healthy fish habitat, this project will also work to build climate resilience while improving infrastructure, reducing hazards, and engaging the community. The projects span the full range of fish passage types, including culvert improvements, in-stream fish passage improvements, and the assessment of alternatives to and review of a dam removal.

The project, “There and back again: A salmonid’s tale to restored fish passage in the Mid-Willamette,” was submitted by Marys River Watershed Council on behalf of the Mid-Valley River Connections collaborative. This project is 1 of 46 projects recommended by the Department of Commerce and NOAA for $240 million in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

“We are honored that our proposal has been recommended for funding,” said Holly Purpura, Marys River Watershed Council Executive Director, “This work builds upon 16 years of close regional collaboration between the Calapooia, Luckiamute, Marys River, North Santiam, and South Santiam Watershed Councils, whose combined service areas compose 31 percent of the Willamette watershed. We are grateful to be given this opportunity to continue to restore watersheds in the mid-Willamette and build a more resilient climate.”