Project Description
The goal of this project is to restore fish passage, ecological function, and infrastructure integrity at 13 road stream crossings in the Copper River Delta near Cordova, Alaska. The Copper River is world-renowned for its salmon fisheries. Once complete, this project will expand access to over 22 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for anadromous and resident fishes, while concurrently reducing the risk of infrastructure damage (i.e. highway washouts) during flood events. The project will be administratively managed by the USFWS Habitat Restoration Program in cooperation with project partners at US Forest Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Department of Transportation, and the Copper River Watershed Project. Under a Cooperative Agreement with the USFWS, the Copper River Watershed Project will collect hydrologic data; develop a project implementation timeline and tracking tool for 13 culvert projects; provide project management for the design of the culverts; permit, bid, and construct culverts removals/replacements at 13 problematic sites.
Restoration Land Ownership
Alaska Native Lands; Other Federal; State; Tribal; US Forest Service
Parties Implementing Restoration
Alaska Department of Fish and Game; Alaska Department of Transportation; Copper River Watershed Project; national oceanic and atmospheric administration; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service
DOI Project Representatives
Fish and Wildlife Service