About Us

In 2001, Benton SWCD received funding from an Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board grant to implement the Benton Fish Passage Improvement Program (BFPIP). The program demonstrates a successful cooperative effort between Benton SWCD, Benton County Public Works and GIS Departments, and the local watershed councils (Marys, Alsea, and Luckiamute). Currently, the program involves compiling all available fish passage barrier and fish habitat inventory data in Benton County into one GIS database with the goal of identifying, prioritizing and planning fish passage and stream restoration projects throughout Benton County. The fish passage program obtains pertinent information from cities, county, state, federal agencies, and private landowners. This program is designed to benefit the survival of threatened and endangered fish species of Steelhead Trout, Coho and Chinook Salmon, as well as, Cutthroat Trout that are found in the different watersheds of Benton County. These species are important to communities, commerce, and the interest of the public. The Benton Fish Passage Improvement Program is not affiliated with any regulatory agencies nor does it enforce any regulations; it is simply a way to inventory barriers and work with landowners to help secure funding to remove fish passage barriers on their lands and to open up stream miles to fish.

Culvert Replacement

Before		After