ODFW seeks public comments on proposal to waive fish passage on Bear Creek tributary in Jackson County

SALEM, Ore.—ODFW is seeking public comment on a fish passage waiver request from the Oregon Department of Transportation at an Unnamed Tributary to Bear Creek in Jackson, County, OR. ODOT is extending a culvert on OR99S which triggers fish passage.

In lieu of providing fish passage at the tributary to Bear Creek where it intersects OR99S, ODOT proposes to complete habitat restoration work on the tributary and replace a culvert damaged by fire on another unnamed tributary to Bear Creek.

ODFW has made the initial determination that the mitigation proposed by ODOT would provide a net benefit to migratory fish. This waiver request will be presented to the Fish Passage Task Force for their recommendation at the Oct. 8 Fish Passage Task Force Meeting.

In the meantime, members of the public will have until Sept. 22, 2026, to submit written comments on the proposed plans.

Members of the public can send written comments or request additional information from Pete Baki, ODFW-ODOT Fish Passage Liaison, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem OR 97302, or email Pete.Baki@odfw.oregon.gov or by calling 503-586-9827. Written comments must be received by Sept. 22, 2026.

There will be additional opportunity to comment on the waiver request at the ODFW Fish Passage Task Force Meeting in Newport on Oct. 8.

The waiver application, ODFW's benefit analysis and the draft waiver agreement can be found at the ODFW Fish Division web site at: https://dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/index.asp

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