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Thurston County Seeks State Salmon-Recovery Grants to Study Two Fish- passage Barriers
Summary
Public Works requested permission to apply for two Salmon Recovery Funding Board grants to study and predesign fish-passage improvements at Stedman Road (Spurgeon Creek tributary) and Backman Road (Independence Creek tributary). The studies would identify preferred alternatives and support future design and construction phases.
Public Works staff asked the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners for permission to apply for two grants from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) to fund predesign studies for fish-passage improvements.
County Engineer and County Manager Matt Unsma presented the requests. The first grant request seeks $135,000 to complete a predesign study at an unnamed Spurgeon Creek tributary crossing on Stedman Road Southeast, about a mile south of Rainier Road. The study would identify a preferred alternative so staff can pursue later phases — design, right-of-way and construction funding. Unsma said removing the barrier would open about one mile of stream habitat to fish such as coho salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout.
The second SRFB request would fund the same type of predesign study at an unnamed Independence Creek tributary under Backman Road (about 1,000 feet south of Independence Road). Staff said that removal of that barrier would open approximately five miles of habitat. Both requests are for study funds only; Unsma said local match is not required for these predesign grants.
Commissioners confirmed that both projects were prioritized through Public Works’ fish-passage program and that staff had coordinated with nearby jurisdictions where appropriate (for the Stedman Road roundabout project staff noted coordination with the City of Yelm on other nearby roundabouts). Unsma also noted the studies will help the county plan for subsequent phases and pursue funding.
Staff asked for permission to submit both grant applications; that permission was being sought during the Feb. 11 agenda-setting session so the formal applications can be filed and potential awards pursued. No formal award decisions were made at the Feb. 11 session; staff will return with grant agreements if awards are made.
The items include outreach steps and next-phase planning should the county secure design or construction funding. The board did not take a final vote on grant awards during the agenda-setting session.
