The goal of this project is to replace six culverts in the lowest 1.5-mile stretch of perkins creek to reconnect fish passage for pacific lamprey, coastal cutthroat trout (native gamefish), and…

The goal of this project is to replace six culverts in the lowest 1.5-mile stretch of perkins creek to reconnect fish passage for pacific lamprey, coastal cutthroat trout (native gamefish), and juvenile spring chinook salmon (listed as threatened under the endangered species act). Perkins creek is a medium-sized tributary of mosby creek in the coast fork willamette river sub-basin (a tributary of the willamette river) near the small, rural town of cottage grove. The project would reconnect 3.5 miles of quality spawning and rearing habitat for cutthroats and lamprey and increase the rearing habitat for chinook. The project area includes both private and state-owned landownership. The coast fork willamette watershed council (CFWWC) and the oregon department of fish and wildlife (ODFW) have a long-documented history of partnership and collaboration. They would manage the implementation of this project. The project is strongly supported by the confederated tribes of the grand ronde, local landowners, and the oregon statewide lamprey coordinator. In addition to helping fish, the completed project would increase community resilience for a small, underserved, rural community by providing citizens along perkins creek with consistent and safe access to their homes. Currently, homeowners are annually coping with flooding issues causing them to ford the creek on overtopped culverts or blocking access to their homes periodically in the winter because of undersized and or failing culverts. In addition, community outreach and education for pacific lamprey are ongoing in this small community, disseminated by both the coast fork watershed council and ODFW. If pacific lamprey were to establish a vibrant population in this stream, IT would present a great example of cooperative restoration work with private landowners. In addition, the community on perkins creek could observe this unique native species in their front yard.