FAQ

How many projects do you complete each year?Back to top

We average about 4 projects per year. This coming year we’ll be working on 3 projects (2 construction and 1 design), plus a couple of assessments. Assessments are usually done a couple of years in advance of the construction.

What kinds of construction do you do?Back to top

It can vary. For example, for our Skidmore Slough project this year, we’re putting in a 70-foot bridge to restore the natural stream passage. Currently that location has two collapsed culverts that are not passing salmon.

We’re taking the culverts out and are replacing them with a bridge that can be installed in about 3 weeks, including removing the culverts and foundation work. This reestablishes the natural channel which will now flow under the bridge.

These culverts never were effective because they were undersized. Salmon, particularly chum salmon, don’t like to go through culverts. The flow doesn’t meander enough for them to swim through. Not only are bridges more effective, but they are actually less expensive that the cost of a large culvert!

We've also constructed fish ladders at Lewis and Porter Points on the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. And as part of our community outreach, we built a boat launch, city floats, and pier for South Bend, Washington, and we assisted in the construction of the Salmon Trail at Headquarters Creek on the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

How long does a typical project take?Back to top

That depends. For example, a project to restore 4 miles of stream may take a couple of months.

We have to wait until mid-June at the earliest to start and have to finish by the end of September, because we can't be in the streams before all the salmon smolt exit the area and before bald eagles finish fledging. The spawning salmon come back at the end of September, so we have to be done with the project before they arrive.

We pride ourselves on being ready so when that window opens, we’re ready to go to work (permits are in place, the design is ready, and hires have been made).

Assessments are done in the early spring before the brush leafs out to make it easier to move through the area and to see more clearly what is going on.

What’s the typical staffing level for each project?Back to top

During the planning and design phase, we use the design team method. The landowners, designers, permitting agents, funding agents, and affected landowners are all asked to participate in the design development team. During the construction phase, we use the design-build approach, which has the design contractor standing by to assist the contractor as required.

We usually hire a geomorphologist to look at the stream to determine what it is currently doing and what it should be doing to provide optimal salmon habitat. Then we use the other consultants to help us design the structures that will restore the stream so it supports the salmon. Producing a good design is both an art and a science.

For the construction phase of a bridge, for example, we send out RFQs to about 4 different materials suppliers, and then contract with a company to do the installation.

If I were to give you money, would it be for a particular project or would it go into a pool to be used as you need?

All funds are for a specific project. When we get funds, we don’t get paid until we’ve expended the funds and send in the receipt. We start with zero in the bank and finish with zero in the bank.

Why should I fund your projects?Back to top

We’ve been restoring salmon habitat since 1985. We have never had a cost overrun, and we've never had a failure. We always complete our projects on time. Our administrative costs are low (from 3% to 7%), and we fund the preliminary engineering design ourselves, so your money goes to the on-the-ground budget. You’ll know that we’ve accomplished what we said we were going to do. Many of our funding sources come back to us, because they know they can depend on us to produce the desired results.

During our preliminary investigations, we make sure:

  • The project will benefit salmon.
  • It’s cost effective.
  • We have a good idea of what the project will cost.
  • We produce the design and have all the permits in hand before we receive the funds.
  • We go to work the minute the funds arrive.
  • We have a history of doing the job, and not requiring any change orders.

Unlike a lot of groups, we hire a consultant to do a baseline assessment. Then post-construction, we have an independent consultant monitor each project for 3 years. We send the monitoring report unedited to our funding source. View a sample report.

We pride ourselves on being ready to go to work (permits in place, design ready, hires made) when the season's construction window (about June 15th to September 30th) opens.

In addition, some of our projects have won national awards and recognition:

  • Headquarters Stream project on the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge received recognition from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and it was named a must-see by Sunset magazine.
  • Fish ladders at Lewis and Porter Points on the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge received recognition by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Trap Creek project was selected as an outstanding project by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.
  • Oxbow Creek project was selected as outstanding project by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

How will I know what you did with my grant?Back to top

We hire an independent consultant to monitor each project for 3 years, because we want to know if the project is successful. We have a monitoring protocol (procedure) that each independent contractor follows. We send the report unedited to the funding source annually. View a sample report.

What needs to be done in the future?Back to top

Restoration of salmon habitat will remain important for some time to come. In addition, more attention needs to be paid to the revival of chum salmon.

The chum salmon populations, so critical to the overall health of other salmon species are severely threatened. In the past 10 years the chum population has sharply decreased. Historically, chum salmon were 65% of the salmon population in Willapa Bay; today they are less than 5%. The study also shows that in Willapa Bay, habitat is not the limiting factor for salmon recovery. Of the 745 streams and rivers in Willapa Bay, only about three are known to have salmon.

Obtaining chum salmon eggs and carcasses is difficult and needs to be addressed. Our organization historically raised and released millions of chum, coho, and Chinook eggs, fry, and smolt. In 2008 we were only able to collect 300,000 chum eggs. More funds to support the restoration of this species need to be made available.