The goal of this project is to replace a broken and too-small pipe (called a culvert) under a road that crosses russel creek in coos county, oregon

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) awarded a $862,201 Cooperative Agreement to the Coquille Watershed Association under the Aquatic Resources Management program (CFDA 15.244) on September 19, 2025, to replace a deteriorated culvert under Russell Creek in Coos County, Oregon. The primary deliverable is the installation of a new, larger culvert during the 2026 in-water work season that will restore fish passage for coho salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout, and Pacific lamprey while protecting approximately 0.2 miles of stream habitat. The project will be implemented in partnership with the BLM and includes associated activities such as habitat restoration, water quality improvements, and project monitoring through the award completion date of September 18, 2029.

The Coquille Watershed Association will also provide comprehensive monitoring reports and surveys to document project success and demonstrate ecosystem benefits. Secondary deliverables include maintained road safety and access for local residents, forest workers, and emergency personnel. As a tax-exempt nonprofit with extensive experience in watershed restoration across the Coquille River Basin, the Coquille Watershed Association will deliver these services through a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders including the Coquille Indian Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and various local government entities.

Activities

The coquille watershed association and the BLM will: remove the old culvert and install a new, larger one during the 2026 in-water work season make sure fish and other water animals can swim through the creek safely protect about 0.2 miles of healthy stream habitat and keep the road open for local people, forest workers, and fire crews. Expected deliverables: a new, larger culvert that allows fish to pass through safely improved water quality and habitat for fish and other wildlife safe road access for residents, forest workers, and emergency crews andmonitoring reports and surveys to show the project was successful.

Intended beneficiaries

Fish and wildlife, who will have better access to clean, cool water and safe places to live local residents and landowners, who rely on the road for travel and safety forestry businesses, who need the road to reach timber sales firefighters, who need access to the area during wildfires the local economy, through jobs and purchases from nearby businesses and the BLM, which will meet its goals for healthy forests and safe public lands.