This project is to address two fire damaged culverts within the echo mountain complex fire on curl creek, a fish bearing tributary to the salmon river

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded $459,115 to Midcoast Watersheds Council on July 29, 2025, under the Schools and Roads - Grants to States program (CFDA 10.665) to address fire damage and ecological degradation within the Echo Mountain Complex Fire area. The project will restore two fire-damaged culverts on Curl Creek, a fish-bearing tributary to the Salmon River located within the Siuslaw National Forest in Oregon. Additionally, the award funds re-vegetation efforts, invasive species control, and native plant establishment across two areas within the forest. Work is scheduled for completion by January 15, 2027.

This project was reviewed and recommended by the Local Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), a community-driven governance mechanism that typically includes up to 15 representatives with varied expertise. The funding is critical to restoring fish passage capability on Curl Creek and reversing functional degradation of the Salmon Creek Wetlands, which currently suffer from non-native species infestation and have experienced loss of previous restoration progress. Although no matching contribution is statutorily required under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, the awardee has voluntarily committed additional matching funds to strengthen project implementation.

The project will also provide RE-vegetation, invasive species control, and plant establishment on two areas within siuslaw national forest. Work will occur in oregon through 1/15/2027.this is a secure rural schools and community self-determination act grant that was reviewed and recommended by the local resource advisory committee (RAC). RAC committees are composed of up to 15 community representatives of varied interests and areas of expertise. Once approved projects are implemented, the RAC members monitor implementation on the ground and advise the designated federal official on progress. No match is required per the approved RAC proposal and is not statutorily required; however, this cooperator has agreed to a matching contribution. If not approved, the curl creek fish passage will remain insufficient for its purpose and the salmon creek wetlands will continue to be functionally degraded and infested with non-native species and restoration progress will be lost from previous RE-vegetation efforts.