Family Forest Fish Passage Program
The Family Forest Fish Passage Program supports small Washington forest landowners by funding repairs to road crossings and other barrier projects that reopen spawning and rearing habitat for native fish.
Funder: Recreation and Conservation Office
Due Dates: Rolling (landowner applications) | April 15, 2026 (project prioritization) | July 1, 2026 (projects funded)
Funding Amounts: $7.9 million in program funding; grants cover 75–100% of barrier correction costs; projects typically take two years
Summary: Helps small Washington forest landowners correct road-associated fish passage barriers and reopen stream habitat.
Key Information: Eligible barriers must have been installed before May 14, 2003.
Description
The Family Forest Fish Passage Program helps small forest landowners correct human-made barriers that prevent fish from reaching spawning and rearing habitat. Created by the Washington Legislature in 2003 as part of the state’s salmon recovery efforts, it supports repairs to road-associated crossings on forestland, as well as eligible barrier removal and road abandonment projects.
The Department of Natural Resources determines landowner eligibility, the Department of Fish and Wildlife evaluates barriers and ranks projects, and the Recreation and Conservation Office administers grants. Projects offering the greatest benefit to native fish are funded first. A project sponsor works with the landowner to manage design and construction; in some cases, the landowner may sponsor the project.
