Lauded Progress

LAUDED PROGRESS:

The continued collaboration and hard work of Salmon SuperHwy partners has resulted in tremendous progress toward our goal of 180 miles of habitat reconnected. The 60 projects completed have restored access to 137 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for Chinook, coho, chum, steelhead, cutthroat trout, and lamprey, and on top of that, they’ve made Tillamook County’s transportation system safer for residents, visitors, and industry. We’re making a big push to keep that momentum going as we reach our goal. 

The Salmon SuperHwy serves as an example of how private landowners and local, state, and federal partners work together to accomplish conservation and management goals.

upcoming projects + Goals:

  • 6 projects removing 8 barriers and reconnecting 18.5 miles of stream habitat. Projects include: Pothole Creek, White Star Creek, Mill Trib. B, Esther Creek Culvert, East Creek (3 barriers), and Whiskey Creek.

  • Over $3 million is predicted to be leveraged in 2026

  • Work as a team of partners to keep new projects moving forward

  • Continue securing funding to propel us to the finish line - only 25% of our total project tally left to complete!

  • Partner with specific landowners to launch remaining priority projects

  • Find a location for the next overarching Salmon SuperHwy project

SUCCESS:

  • From 2014-2025, 60 of 93 priority barriers have been removed

  • 5 miles of habitat reconnected​ for a total of over 137 miles, over 75% of the way to our goal of 180 miles.

  • 6 species of ocean-going fish returned to historic habitat

  • Over $5 million in funding leveraged this year, for a total of $24.7 million

  • 52 jobs created for a total of 392

  • Landowners united with local, state,​ and federal partners to meet goals

FUNDING:

2025 funding 

The federal money SSH received this year is largely from grants received in previous years under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

State funds were also essential this year and came from the following Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) grant programs: Screening and Passage Program, Private Forest Accords, and Natural Working Lands.

Private and foundation funding help support staff capacity and partners continue to collaborate on funding resources. 

““We are committed to being good stewards of our environment, and we believe public-private partnerships are crucial to make an impact in our expansive watersheds. Our farmer-owners have worked with SSH and NRCS in the past and are excited to continue our efforts through RCPP projects that will make tangible and verifiable improvements to water quality, aquatic connectivity and habitat.””
— Jocelyn Bridson, Tillamook County Creamery Association Director of Environment & Community Impact