12/22/2005
Fish passages completed on Idaho 87; bridges open to traffic
RIGBY- Bridges spanning two of the largest Yellowstone cutthroat trout spawning tributaries to Henry's Lake in northern Fremont County opened to traffic in late November, the Idaho Transportation announced.
Henry's Lake is one of the country's premier Yellowstone cutthroat fisheries and the new bridges at Targhee and Howard creeks will make it easier for the fish to reach spawning grounds upstream.
The need for the fish passages was brought out during the public comment period for the U.S. 20 Phase II Corridor Plan Study.
"Concerns about the fish passages at Targhee and Howard creeks were the number one comment we received," said Lance Holmstrom, then-manager for the corridor plan process. Culverts put in place decades ago had deteriorated and limited fish passage along the two creeks - the largest and the third-largest spawning tributaries to Henry's Lake.
The Idaho Transportation Board unanimously approved special funding for new culverts in November 2004. The project design later was upgraded to include bridges rather than culverts.
The project was a coordinated effort among partners including the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Targhee National Forest, Henrys Fork Foundation and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to improve fish passages and restore critical habitat.
Sen. Mike Crapo's office helped bring the groups together. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Henry's Lake Foundation and Henry's Fork Foundation funded a study to determine the feasibility of improving the fish passages.
ITD funded the design and construction of the two bridges. Its partners in the project performed environmental surveys, wrote environmental documents, and formulated permit applications and environmental clearances necessary to complete the work. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition led efforts to obtain environmental approvals.
"This project is a good example of what can be accomplished when local, state and federal agencies work with special interest groups to achieve common goals," said Tom Cole, District 6 Engineer.
Cannon Builders, Inc. of Blackfoot built the two bridges, which were designed by ITD staff. The project cost $1.8 million.