First Stimulus grant to Borough arrives for f

MAT-SU BOROUGH–Culverts that will allow fish to swim upstream will be installed in three creeks in what is the Borough's first Stimulus fund award.

The projects are some of the ongoing efforts to improve fish passage in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Stream Crossing program in conjunction and partnership with the U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service and the MAT-SU Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership.

Promoting healthy fish in the Mat-Su is a top Borough priority.

Project Manager, Chuck Kaucic stated, “The support by the USFWS to invest in our program is a result of a creative, close working relationship with diverse partners that has resulted in State & National recognition. In the past 12 years, the MAT-SU Borough has consistently improved fish passage & drainage at stream/road crossings resulting in significant improvements for fishery resources & the transportation system.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is awarding the following:

• $120,000 for fish passage on Little Susitna tributary. Replacing a culvert will restore access to salmon habitat. Total project cost: $140,000.

• $256,000 for MAT-SU Fish Passage Restoration on Wasilla Creek at Grantham Drive. Replacing a damaged culvert there will restore fish access to 30 miles of habitat. Total cost: $350,000.

• $100,000 for fish passage on Cottonwood Creek at Engstrom Road. Replacing a culvert will restore access to 1.5 miles or 50 acres of salmon spawning and rearing habitats.

The efforts of the MAT-SU Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership caught national attention in 2008. The U.S. Department of the Interior recognized the Partnership as a recipient of the Cooperative Conservation Award. The award recognizes conservation activities that involve diverse collaborative groups including federal, state, local and tribal governments, nonprofits and individuals.

A copy of the award is at this link: 1511 certification.

For more information call project manager Chuck Kaucic at 907.745.9807 or Media Design Specialist Jennifer Dawkins at 745.9520

Photos: Alaska Job Corps Carpentry students assembling the multi-plate project on the Job Corps center in Palmer under the supervision of the carpentry instructor, Tim Swan.