Family Forest Fish Passage Program

Family Forest Fish and Passage Program

The Family Forest Fish Passage Program (FFFPP) assists private forestland owners in replacing culverts and other stream crossing structures that keep trout, salmon, and other fish from reaching upstream habitat. Road culverts and other structures that are aging, too small, or improperly installed can block fish from reaching their spawning grounds. The same barriers then impede the movement of young rearing salmon to the ocean. FFFPP funds the replacement of eligible barriers with new structures. Since 2003, nearly 200 landowners have taken advantage of the program that has replaced 244 barriers and opened more than 524 miles of stream habitat.

You’re a private, small forest landowner
You harvest less than 2 million board feet of timber each year from lands you own in Washington.

The culvert is on forestland and associated with a road
The land is capable of supporting a merchantable stand of timber and is not being used for anything incompatible with growing timber.

The structure is on a fish-bearing stream
Any stream wider than 2 feet in Western WA (3 feet in Eastern WA) with a gradient less than 20 percent is considered potential fish habitat. Smaller or steeper streams may be fish bearing; this will be determined by a site-specific evaluation.

Landowner Applies for a Culvert Evaluation
Apply Online:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/FFFPP

Culvert is Evaluated and Prioritized
A field technician will contact you to make a site visit to assess the fish barrier.

Culvert is funded when it becomes a high priority
The culvert or other form of barrier presenting the highest benefit to fish habitat are fixed first.

Project sponsor manages the project
The program provides a project sponsor who will manage all aspects of the project including: engineering, permits, contractors, and accounts.

FFFPP helps private forestland owners replace fish-barrier culverts and other structures that keep trout, salmon, and other fish from reaching upstream habitat. The program funds the replacement of eligible culverts or other barriers with new structures. Just by applying to the program the landowner is relieved of any state Forest Practices obligations to correct fish barriers.

“It’s a win win: the landowner gets a great structure that they never could afford otherwise, and the fish get a better stream.” Holly Koon and Max Duncan

“All parties involved in this project were excellent to work with. We have a quality bridge that will last forever.” Ron Roberts