Welcome to Skagit County

June 17th, 2006

COUNTY TO BEGIN WORK ON FISH PASSAGE CULVERT PROJECTS ALONG SOUTH SKAGIT HIGHWAY

SKAGIT COUNTY - Skagit County will begin construction on two fish passage projects, Tuesday, June 20, 2006 on small streams flowing into the Skagit River along the South Skagit Highway. These projects improve access to quality stream habitat for both salmon and trout species. The project improves access to approximately 10,000 feet of stream habitat.

Increased productivity, access to new habitat, reduced flood risk, improved movement of sediment and woody debris through roadways are all benefits of the project.

Two existing 24" corrugated metal culverts were replaced with two 108" aluminized corrugated metal culverts.

In 1999 and 2000, Skagit County completed several fish passage culvert projects at Parson Creek, Lorenzen Creek, Fisher Creek, Concrete-Sauk Valley Road, Baker Lake Road, Concrete-Sauk Valley Road at Aldon Creek and at Dalles Road.

Revenue for these projects is from the Skagit County Road Fund.

“This project is designed to improve conveyance to protect County road infrastructure and improve fish passage,” said Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt. “It’s an environmentally responsible and practical approach.”

More than $2,000,000 has been spent on fish passage projects since 1999, according to Dahlstedt.

For further information, contact:
Chris Kowitz
Water Resources Technician
Skagit County Public Works
360-336-9400