Restoring Access to Tyonek Creek: A Subsistence Salmon Restoration Project

This project will replace a culvert on Tyonek Creek near the Native Village of Tyonek, A Dena’ina Athabascan community in remote western Cook Inlet, Alaska. This project benefits Coho and pink salmon, both vitally important environmentally, economically, culturally and as a subsistence resource. This project will complete a ten-year, multi-agency effort to remove all barriers in the Tyonek Creek watershed, opening a total of 31 miles of habitat. Improving habitat connectivity on this cooler stream ensures fish can access high quality, intact habitat as warming temperatures begin to degrade streams nearby. Replacing undersized culverts with larger or more appropriate crossings also ensures the safety of the road system and allows Tyonek to maintain working emergency evacuation routes. 

Project Quick Facts:

The National Fish Passage Program: Leaders in Building Bridges and Fostering Connections

The National Fish Passage Program is a national leader connecting watersheds and people. The program has decades of experience implementing infrastructure projects with partners. Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. (Please note that fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.) 

 CONTACT A FISH PASSAGE COORDINATOR IN YOUR AREA TO GET STARTED. 

200 Million Dollar Investment in Rivers, Wildlife, and Communities

Clean free-flowing waterways are vital to wildlife, people, and ecosystems. But across the country, millions of barriers fragment rivers, block fish migration, and put communities at higher risk to flooding. The  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure and economic competitiveness. We were directly appropriated $455 million over five years in BIL funds for programs related to the President’s America the Beautiful initiative.

Learn more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law  , signed in November 2021, included $200 million for restoring fish and wildlife passage by removing in-stream barriers and providing technical assistance under the National Fish Passage Program.