Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board
Forecasted
The Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board supports Washington project sponsors in planning and building fish passage corrections that reconnect habitat and aid salmon and steelhead recovery.
Funder: Recreation and Conservation Office
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2028 (Applications due) | May 2028 (Final revisions due)
Funding Amounts: $32.5 million in program funding; no general request limit; match depends on project type and request size
Summary: Supports planning and construction to remove barriers to salmon and steelhead migration in Washington.
Key Information: Projects must fully correct a barrier on a salmon-bearing stream and pass a WDFW habitat assessment.
Description
Established by the Washington Legislature in 2014, this program funds the design and construction of fish passage corrections across Washington. The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) jointly administer it. Projects may replace barrier culverts with fish-passable culverts or bridges, remove small dams or logjams, or construct fishways. Planning projects must produce a final design; construction projects may include final design and permitting.
The board prioritizes barriers important to salmon and steelhead recovery, including projects that reconnect habitat and build on earlier fish passage investments. WDFW evaluates and ranks proposals, and the board forwards a prioritized list to the Legislature for funding consideration. RCO manages agreements for funded projects.
