This project will replace a salmon blocking 70 inch wood culvert in Pacific County (WRIA 24) Naselle Subwatershed under Salmon Creek Road. The project will open approximately 1.1 miles of important biological processes of spawning and rearing; 4453 square meters of spawning habitat and 9041 square meters of rearing habitat. Chum, coho, Chinook, steelhead, and cutthroat will utilize Honey Creek. The existing culvert is a total barrier to the upward migration of anadromous fish species as well as the movement of resident fish within the stream system. The PI for this culvert is 28.18, which was determined after an assessment by Applied Environmental Services, Inc. ref 12.b.h. At present, the tongue-in-groove hand-made culvert is sagging under Salmon Creek Road and is likely to fail in the near future. The downstream culvert opening is hung approximately 0.8 feet creating a hydraulic jump into the pipe that prevents fish passage. This also contributes to sedimentation in Salmon Creek, which is identified in the Naselle Assessment report. Velocity, water depth, sedimentation issues will be rectified by this project. The age of the pipe is also significant. Fish blockage for many years has been in place on Honey Creek and the habitat is unused. Removal of this blockage will allow reintroduction of anadromous species in Honey Creek. This project was recommended by Region 6, (ref. 12b.g) Regional biologist, which rated it as the highest priority in the Naselle.
