You can contact us at:

The Adopt-A-Stream Foundation
at the
Northwest Stream Center
600-128th Street SE
Everett, WA 98208-6353
Tel: 425-316-8592
Fax: 425-3381423
Email:
aasf@streamkeeper.org

May 31, 2005 

FROM: Adopt-A-Stream Foundation (AASF)
PRESS CONFERENCE: JUNE 8, 2005 - 8:30 AM
TOPIC: 300 Manmade Salmon Migration Barriers Located in 8 Small Streams
LOCATION: NW Stream Center, 600 - 128th Street SE, Everett, WA 98208 (go to www.streamkeeper.org for map)
CONTACT: Tom Hardy, AASF Ecologist; Tom Murdoch, AASF Director
(425) 316-8592

BACKGROUND:
During the last five-years, AASF conducted surveys of eight small stream systems to locate manmade barriers to salmon migration. The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE), Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Washington State Department of Natural Resources and King and Snohomish Counties funded the surveys.

The subject watersheds included:
McAleer and Lyon Creeks that flow through Lake Forest Park and Mountlake Terrace; Swamp Creek which begins in South Everett and flows into Lake Washington by Kenmore; North Creek which begins west of the Everett Mall and flows through Mill Creek and Bothell; Little Bear Creek which flows from Snohomish County through Woodinville; Bear Creek which flows from Snohomish County through Redmond; Quilceda and Allen Creeks which flow from Arlington through Marysville into the Snohomish River.

Prior to the survey, AASF Ecologists and Biological Technicians received extensive salmon habitat analysis and fish migration barrier identification training from the WDFW. AASF followed strict habitat analysis and salmon migration barrier protocols established by WDFW.

During the Press Conference, AASF will conduct a power point presentation that will provide additional details on the stream survey process, barriers detected by location and ownership (public or private) and a priority list for culvert replacement for each watershed. A representative sample of all types of barriers will be shown that range from undersized culverts, to concrete dams, to perched culverts.

"This was an eye opener for us," says AASF Senior Ecologist Tom Hardy. "We knew from past experience that people have created a lot of obstacles for salmon, but even we were surprised by how many we found in these small stream systems." Over 50% of the salmon migration barriers located are on private property. The remaining barriers are pipes under roads owned by city, county, or state agencies.

"The good news is that all of the public agencies are now aware of the barriers that they are responsible to remove," says Hardy. "In addition, we are teaming up with the private landowners and with groups like the North Shore Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation, the Tulalip Tribes and many volunteers to tackle the barriers located on private property."