PMEP is proud to announce that the Neskowin Fish Passage Improvement Project was selected by the National Fish Habitat Partnership as a 2022 Waters to Watch project! A project of the Nestucca, Neskowin & Sand Lake Watersheds Council, the project received  PMEP funding in 2020, and the project was completed in 2022.

The project included a strong partnership with the Tillamook County Public Works Department and restored fish passage within the Neskowin Estuary-Wetland complex benefiting multiple species including ESA listed Coho salmon at the same time providing emergency egress to the local community during flooding events. The project increased access to 250 acres of riverine estuary, tidal scrub/shrub and tidal forest wetland rearing habitat and 5 miles of spawning habitat for Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, Chum salmon, Steelhead trout, Pacific lamprey, and Cutthroat trout. The project replaced three undersized culverts and two tidegates with two 32’ bridges sized to meet federal and state fish passage requirements.

The Waters to Watch Program highlights ten outstanding fish habitat restoration projects nationwide to focus attention on rivers, streams and shores that will be cleaner and healthier habitats for the many fish and wildlife species and people who call these areas home

You can read about this and the other Waters to Watch projects here.