HomeMy WebLinkAboutLETTER OF SUPPORT re Grant App Ltr of Support NOAA Fish Barrier Removal Department of Public Works
O Consent Agenda
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Jefferson County
Board of Commissioners
Agenda Request
To: Board of Commissioners
Mark McCauley, County Administrator
From: Monte Reinders, P.E., Public Works Director/County Engineer
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Agenda Date: August 8, 2022
Subject: Letter of Support for Trout Unlimited and Coldwater Connection
Campaign for grant application to NOAA's Restoring Fish Passage
through Barrier Removal -- Funding Opportunity Number NOAA-NMFS-
HCPO-2022-2007209
Statement of Issue: Trout Unlimited has requested a Letter of Support from Jefferson
County for their application to the above-referenced grant funding opportunity.
Analysis/Strategic Goals/Pro's Et Con's: In coordination with Jefferson County Public
Works, Trout Unlimited has identified five fish passage barrier removal projects in west
Jefferson County, three on Upper Hoh Road and two on Oil City Road. Trout Unlimited
intends to apply for funding for design and construction of these projects, which would
replace existing culverts with new, fish-passable culverts or bridges. These culvert
replacements would assist the County both by correcting high-priority fish passage
barriers, as well as alleviating road maintenance issues. Public Works supports pursuing
these projects.
Fiscal Impact/Cost Benefit Analysis: The total grant amount is (To be determined). If
awarded, the grant will fund 100% of design and construction. Jefferson County Public
Works will provide an in-kind donation of staff time for design review and coordination,
and construction oversight.
Recommendation: The Board is requested to sign the Letter of Support, and return to
Public Works.
Department Contact: Mark Thurston, P.E. Project Manager, 385-9210.
Reviewed By:
°PA/ _
Mark McCauley, County Administrator Date
Date: XXXX
To: NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation — Restoration Center
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
RE: NOAA's Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under
the IIJA; Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2022-2007209
Dear NOAA Technical Review Team,
I am writing to express support for Trout Unlimited's Olympic Peninsula Coldwater Connection
Campaign — Hoh Watershed Fish Passage Project funding proposal to NOAA's Restoring Fish Passage
through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the IIJA.
Jefferson County Dept. of Public Works owns the roads and fish barrier culvert sites being proposed for
correction in this funding proposal. Trout Unlimited and Coldwater Connection Campaign partners have
been working with Jefferson County staff in developing fish passage projects on Jefferson County Roads
for many years, and the County supports this proposal to design, implement, and restore fish passage
for these locally vetted and prioritized fish barrier sites.
Trout Unlimited has decades of experience and a proven track record of successful partnerships and
restoration projects across the country, including NOAA-funded fish passage projects. As the Chair of the
Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, I fully support Trout Unlimited's enclosed proposal.
Sincerely,
Heidi Eisenhour
Chair, Board of County Commissioners