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County to draft letter supporting Tri‑State Steelheaders’ Mill Creek fish‑passage project amid landowner outreach issues
Summary
Tri‑State Steelheaders has funding to fix a Mill Creek fish‑passage barrier but several landowners are unresponsive; commissioners agreed to draft a supportive letter for outreach and suggested an educational meeting for landowners to address concerns.
Commissioners on April 27 heard that Tri‑State Steelheaders has funding to repair a fish‑passage barrier where the Mill Creek concrete channel ends and becomes a channelized dirt segment, creating a barrier to fish passage.
County staff said the project team previously had landowner agreements but several original landowners have since died and successors are not consistently responding to outreach. The county reported that public‑works staff and a consultant have attempted contact and that about five of twelve landowners remained unresponsive as of this report.
Tri‑State and county staff asked commissioners to send letters to landowners supporting the project and encouraging cooperation. Commissioners advised the letter adopt a collaborative, educational tone and suggested hosting an informational meeting for landowners to explain project scope and impacts. The chair said he would draft a letter and coordinate with Public Works, and staff will report back.
Commissioners noted the project’s broader value, saying earlier investments upstream to restore fish passage could be wasted unless this corridor is improved.
