Sam Mulder: A new bridge over Sutton Creek
Sam Mulder is an Oregonian who loves his land just as one would expect. So when he was approached by the Salmon SuperHwy to consider a project on his property, he was initially skeptical, but curious. After learning he could have the two, failing, side-by-side metal culverts crossing his creek (Sutton Creek) replaced with a new bridge — he was interested. When he heard the project would complement the stream-protecting plantings and fencing he had already completed, and restore 1.3 miles of high quality Coho, cutthroat and lamprey habitat, he was sold. Planning began immediately.
Sam chose to be highly involved in the project and worked closely with the SSH partners. The planning took about one year but construction of the project took only one month, went smoothly, and turned Sam into a Salmon SuperHwy partner and fan.
General Landowner Benefits: Increased property value; secure and resilient access to property; ease of improvement to property without landowner effort; improved fish habitat; reduced flooding; restoration of waterway health reminiscent of times past; a sense of community with SSH partners.
Do you have a waterway on your land that could benefit from a Salmon SuperHwy project? Visit our contact page and get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
“ At first I was skeptical of how smoothly this process could go with so many partnering organizations working together, but they’ve got it so dialed. They included me in the planning and construction, stuck to what they said and did a great job on the new bridge. My property, and the fish in my creek, are far better off with this improvement.”
BEFORE: The undersized and unstable culvert on Sam mulder’s farming property made fish passage difficult, sometimes immpossible.
DURING: Great care was taken during the construction process, and Sam was involved in both the planning and construction.
AFTER: The new 50’ bridge replaced two failing culverts and restored 1.3 miles of habitat.
Click here to auto-download a PDF of Sam’s SSH experience.