This project will help fish and other water animals reach important parts of the river that were blocked after a big storm

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Oregon-Washington Region, awarded $825,000 to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians under the Good Neighbor Authority (CFDA 15.015) program on September 18, 2025, with a completion date of September 17, 2030. The project will restore fish passage and watershed connectivity in Oregon by removing a damaged culvert and constructing a new 60-foot bridge designed to accommodate high water flows during storm events. These infrastructure improvements will enable lamprey, young salmon, and other aquatic species to access critical upstream habitat while reopening road access to the upper watershed for fire suppression crews, forest management activities, and public recreation.

The Good Neighbor Authority program expands BLM's capacity to implement forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration through cooperative partnerships with states, counties, and federally recognized Indian tribes. As a federally recognized tribe with substantial federal grant management experience across multiple agencies, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians will serve as both the implementing partner and beneficiary of this award, alongside BLM staff and the general public. Deliverables include the replacement bridge infrastructure, improved aquatic habitat connectivity, and restored access to BLM-managed lands for fire response and recreational use.

Activities

1. Take out a broken, too-small pipe (called a culvert) that got washed AWAY2. Build a new 60-foot bridge that can handle more water during STORMS3. Make sure fish like lamprey and young salmon can swim safely into smaller STREAMS4. Reopen the road for people who need to use IT for work, safety, or funexpected deliverables:1. A strong new bridge that replaces the damaged CULVERT2. Better water flow that helps fish move SAFELY3. Reopened access to the upper part of the watershed for fire crews, recreation, and forest workintended beneficiaries:1. Fish and aquatic animals that need safe places to live and GROW2. The confederated tribes of siletz INDIANS3. BLM staff who manage the land and respond to WILDFIRES4. The public who enjoy hiking, fishing, and exploring the area