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Polk County weighs federal grant to replace culvert at Basket Slough; bridge could be 50–60 feet
Summary
Staff told commissioners that US Fish and Wildlife Service has identified a Federal Lands Access Program grant that would fully fund replacement of a failing 48‑inch culvert under Coble (Crowley) Road at Basket Slough; the agency prefers a bridge-sized opening (about 40 feet opening; 50–60 foot bridge) and commissioners debated whether the county should be applicant or co‑applicant.
County staff reported on May 19 that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is pursuing a fish‑passage restoration project at Basket Slough and has identified a Federal Lands Access Program grant that would pay for replacing a failing culvert under Coble (Crowley) Road.
Staff said the culvert is 48 inches in diameter and that the existing active channel is roughly 20 feet; under USFWS criteria the required opening would be the active channel width × 1.2 plus 2 feet, which staff said translates to a 30–40 foot passage opening and, when slopes are included, a structure that could require a 50–60 foot bridge. "It's a 48 inch culvert," staff said when asked about the pipe size.
Staff told the board the grant opportunity carries no local match requirement and said U.S. Fish and Wildlife had suggested a bridge as the preferred solution for consistent fish passage. The county expressed concern that a bridge of that size would be a major expense and that the land in question is owned by USFWS; several commissioners said they would prefer USFWS to lead the application or be a co‑applicant.
Commissioner (S6) said she would not support Polk applying alone and urged co‑applicant status or for the agency to lead the effort: "Oh, I'm I'm adamant about you better not apply for it alone. I don't support that." Staff said the grant application window is mid‑June and pledged to invite US Fish and Wildlife to present to the commission and explain the technical need and applicant options before the deadline.
The commission asked staff to return with more technical cross sections and to invite USFWS to present a project pitch; no final decision on application leadership was recorded on the meeting record.
