Public Notice: Water Quality Certification of WSDOT Fish Passage Project in Washington
Summary
On April 10, 2024, EPA received a request from the Washington State Department of Transportation for a water quality certification for the 101/Grader & UNT to Pacific Ocean - Remove Fish Barriers (Site 21) project, identified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District project number NWS-2023-958.
Section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act requires applicants for federal permits and licenses that may result in discharges into waters of the United States to obtain certification that the discharge will comply with applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act. Where no state agency or Tribe has authority to give such certification, EPA is the certifying authority.
In this case, the proposed project is within Olympic National Park. Therefore, EPA is the certifying authority for this proposed project.
According to the application, the Washington State Department of Transportation proposes to impact wetlands and waters in order to construct a bridge to improve fish passage.
The project is located in wetlands and an unnamed tributary to the Pacific Ocean, in Jefferson County, Washington (latitude 47.68701, longitude -124.40663).
EPA is requesting comments on Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification for this proposed project.
Project Description
The Washington State Department of Transportation proposes to impact approximately 0.01 acres of wetlands and 0.15 acres of waters by excavating and discharging approximately 500 cubic yards of fill material.
Project elements include:
- Removal of an existing 176-foot long concrete culvert.
- Construction of a 38-foot long 54-foot high bridge.
- Construction of soldier pile and structural earth walls.
- Regrading and placement of new streambed sediment in the existing channel.
- Installation of large woody material.
Best management practices include fish exclusion, dewatering and isolation of in-water work areas, and vegetation restoration.
A copy of the application can be made available upon request by using the contact information on this page.