The Partnership
NW Fish Passage provides complete design and permit services to enable “shovel ready” fish passage projects in the Pacific Northwest. We are a strategic, collaborative, and cost-effective small-business partnership based in Bellingham, Washington.
NW Fish Passage is dedicated to solving your unique fish passage challenges.
Our partnership is tailored to provide specialty services to address the unique nature and specific needs of fish passage projects. Our collaborative team, led by Annika Fain of Fain Environmental, includes water resource scientists, engineers, biologists, and regulatory specialists with decades of experience in public works projects here in the Pacific Northwest. We have established and trusted relationships with our clients who include public entities, tribes, regulators, and local enhancement groups.
Our Partners
Projects
Sudden Valley Culvert Replacements (2020-2021)
Location: Bellingham, Washington | Owner: Sudden Valley Community Association
Description: The NW Fish Passage and Impact Design Team provided project management, civil engineering design, hydraulic analysis, and permitting support for the construction of six failing culverts for the Sudden Valley Community Association. Two of the culverts were held to Fish Passage Standards by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and required Army Corps of Engineers JARPA permit and Hydraulic Project Approval. Our team prepared and submitted all permits including local Land Disturbance Permitting with Whatcom County. The project was supported by The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (Contact Darrell Grey). The two fish passage culverts were permitted as concrete box culverts and additional open channel habitat. Other culverts were replaced with HDPE piping.
Temporary Stream Diversion Plan for E Smith Rd Pavement Rehabilitation Project
Location: Bellingham, Washington | Owner: Granite Construction
Description: The NW Fish Passage and Impact Design Team prepared a temporary stream diversion plan for the E. Smith Rd Pavement Rehabilitation Project. Our team prepared and provided a technical review for a Stream Diversion Plan for Granite on a very short timeline. The NW Fish Passage Team completed an analysis of flow through the proposed pipe and informed Granite on minimum pipe size.
The Podcast
Current Episodes:
Episode 1. Motivation and Culvert Case
Resources Mentioned in Episode 1:
- E&E News, 2018. Highways, salmon habitat collide in tribal treaty case. https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060079295
- King County. 2020. Fish Passage Restoration. https://kingcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=c05a11b0b4134336a427b325cb1606a1
- KL Gates, 2018. “Culvert Case” Affirmed: http://www.klgates.com/scotus-affirms-ninth-circuit-culvert-case-06-15-2018/, June 15.
- NW Treaty Tribes, 2013. Federal Judge Issues Permanent Injunction in Culvert Case.
- https://nwtreatytribes.org/federal-judge-issues-permanent-injunction-in-culvert-case/
- WSDOT. 2020a. WSDOT Fish Passage Inventory. https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/data/tools/geoportal/?config=fish-passage-barriers. Accessed June 27, 2020.
- WSDOT. 2020b. Federal Court Injunction for Fish Passage. Accessed June 27, 2020.
Episode 2. Kit Crump – Habitat Restoration in the Stillaguamish Watershed
Resources Mentioned in Episode 2:
- Stillaguamish Tribe: https://www.stillaguamish.com/
- Stillaguamish Watershed Council: http://www.stillaguamishwatershed.org/Home.html
- EarthViews (360 panoramic visual of the Stillaguamish from the point of view of a boat on the river. Best with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge). https://arcgis.earthviews.com/public/stillaguamish-north-fork#6125
- Salmon Recovery Stories: https://stateofsalmon.wa.gov/salmon-recovery-stories/
- Snohomish Salmon: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=5ce8ce5d47c04a4db04a185671288a8e
Episode 3: Anna Toledo – Island County Marine Resources Committee and Shore Friendly
Resources Mentioned in Episode 3:
- Island County Marine Resources Committee: https://www.islandcountymrc.org/
- Island County Shore Friendly: https://www.islandcountywa.gov/Health/DNR/Shore-Friendly/Pages/Home.aspx
- Northwest Straits Commission: https://nwstraits.org
- Cornet Bay restoration: https://www.islandcountymrc.org/projects/cornet-bay-restoration/
- Sunlight Shores restoration: https://nwstraitsfoundation.org/project/sunlight-shores-shoreline-restoration-and-armor-removal/
- Bull kelp videos: https://www.islandcountymrc.org/projects/bull-kelp-monitoring/
Episode 4: Robbie Mantooth – A Creek Worth Saving
Resources Mentioned in Episode 4:
- Ennis – A Creek Worth Saving, produced by John Gussman: https://vimeo.com/429119876
- Ennis Friends facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EnnisFriends/
- Currents newsletter available on facebook and on request from ennis@olypen.com