Southeast Alaska Priority Culvert Planning and Design (Grant Overview)
Southeast Alaska Priority Culvert Planning and Design (Grant Overview)
2023 NOAA Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grant Program
Total Project: $3,012607.50
State Match: None 
Federal Request: $3,012,607.50
This project will plan and design for improved fish passage and restored access to critical habitats for various anadromous and resident fish species in at least 10 locations across Southeast Alaska, through a collaborative approach with various stakeholders.
The overall goal is to further advance projects that are competitive for future grant opportunities, to enhance fish passage, restore vital habitats, and support the long-term ecological and socioeconomic benefits of these fish populations and their ecosystems in the Alaska region.
This project will take place in 3 stages:
- Fish Passage Culvert Comprehensive Strategy: In this stage, DOT&PF will engage with stakeholders and communities to inventory projects and complete feasibility and competitive analyses to determine culverts in critical need of barrier removal.
- Fish Passage Development Ready Projects: In this engineering stage, DOT&PF will prepare Scope, Schedule, and Estimates for approximately 20 culverts. For approximately 10 of the most critical culverts, DOT&PF will also prepare design and obtain NEPA approvals.
- Strategy for Continued Success: In this stage, DOT&PF will prepare case studies, best practices, and deliverables for communities and stakeholders in Southeast, and for potential use by other regions of Alaska interested in pursuing similar strategy development.
Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grant Program
This funding opportunity supports projects that reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for fish around the country.
In collaboration with NOAA, these funds will be used to implement locally-led removals of dams and other in-stream barriers. Selected projects will assist in sustaining our nation’s fisheries and contributing to the recovery of threatened and endangered species. They may also provide community and economic benefits, such as jobs and climate resilience.
Program priorities include:
- achieving measurable and lasting benefits for migratory fish populations;
- enhancing community resilience to climate hazards and providing other co-benefits;
- fostering regionally important habitat restoration;
- providing benefit to and engaging with underserved communities, including through partnerships with Indian tribes and other indigenous communities.
