Nonprofit to use new funding to try to find reason steelhead die near Hood Canal Bridge

SHINE — A Seattle nonprofit that works to restore wild salmon and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest has received a $750,000 appropriation to help determine why steelhead are dying near the Hood Canal Bridge.

Long Live the Kings received the funding in the state’s 2017-18 biennial budget in support of the current $2.5 million phase of the Hood Canal Bridge Ecosystem Impact Assessment, the nonprofit announced.

“Long Live the Kings has been working with our partners from around Hood Canal to address a significant survival bottleneck for our state fish,” Executive Director Jacques White said in a press release.

About 65 percent of out-migrating steelhead that reach the floating bridge do not make it to Admiralty Inlet, and the high mortality might be limiting the recovery of the threatened species, White said.

The nonprofit, which has 30 years experience in salmon recovery, is working with the Hood Canal Coordinating Council, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and other partners to determine why the steelhead are dying and to discover if the bridge is affecting water quality.

“We need to know why these fish are disappearing in the vicinity of the bridge and we need to work together to address the changes that may be necessary,” said state Senator Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, who championed the bipartisan appropriation along with state Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union.

“The lessons learned from this project may be applicable to bridge infrastructure in other parts of the state and nation, contributing to a healthier marine environment. The legislative delegation from the peninsula region was united in our support of this work.”

Also backing the appropriation were state Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, and state Reps. Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim, and Mike Chapman, D-Port Angeles, all of whom represent the North Olympic Peninsula and the 24th District.

The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe helped initiate the Hood Canal steelhead project in 2012.

“Long Live the Kings and the Port Gamble S’Klallam tribe have worked together to try and figure out if there is something that can be done to help mitigate the effect of Hood Canal Bridge,” Hans Daubenberger, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe habitat biologist said in a project video.

“And the first stage in that is understanding how the bridge actually affects fish moving past it.”

Work on the first phase of the Hood Canal Bridge Ecosystem Impact Assessment began late last year and will continue into 2019.

Scientists will assess the impact of predators, light and noise from the bridge and water circulation. Juvenile steelhead will be tracked using special devices.

With a floating span of 6,521 feet — it’s 7,869 feet from end to end — the 56-year-old Hood Canal Bridge is the world’s longest floating bridge over salt water.

Pontoons that span 83 percent of the width of the canal extend 15 feet underwater and might limit the exchange of fresh and salt water needed to preserve water quality and prevent harmful conditions for aquatic species, officials said.

Steelhead use the top of the water column when heading out to sea, and predators such as seals are known to hunt against the Hood Canal Bridge pontoons, Long Live the Kings officials said.

Other partners in the project include the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, state Department of Transportation and the U.S. Navy.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take a snowy sled ride on the campus of Port Angeles High School on Tuesday. Overnight snowfall left a mantle of white over much of the North Olympic Peninsula with an additional chance of snow showers forecast through the weekend. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Snow day

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take… Continue reading

Funding freeze may affect Port Angeles grants

Judge extends block of Trump action

City of Port Angeles updates mobile and itinerant vendor code

Effective March 1, process expands definitions, establishes criteria

Port Angeles school board approves criteria for new leader

Directors looking for visionary innovator with extensive experience

Madison Canterbury, 7, of Shelton looks at a Valentine’s gift she created with the assistance of volunteers Chandra McGuff, left, and Nicole Lemon at a craft table set up outside the Silver Lining Cafe at The Wharf on Saturday on the Port Angeles waterfront. Youngsters were given the opportunity to create gifts and Valentine’s cookies during the event. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s gift

Madison Canterbury, 7, of Shelton looks at a Valentine’s gift she created… Continue reading

Lavender Cowder, 7, in her front yard on A street in west Port Angeles, tries to taste a snowflake during a brief snow shower Sunday. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
A taste of winter

Lavender Cowder, age 7, in her front yard on A street in… Continue reading

The Clallam Bay Early Learning Center opened Monday to help provide service to an area with an identified childcare desert. At first, the center will accept nine children under 6 years old, with the goal of expanding to a total of 30 children. (Clallam Economic Development Council)
Daycare opens in Clallam Bay to address ‘childcare desert’

Nine slots available to start, with plans to expand to 30 children

Port of Port Angeles matching grants to aid infrastructure projects

Recompete funds will be used to purchase barges

Humane society board votes on transparency

Meeting minutes, financial statements won’t be shared with public

Rhody royalty to be crowned on Saturday

Queen, princess to be honored at Chimacum High School

Recipients of Port Angeles Community Awards gather after Saturday night’s awards gala at Field Arts & Events Hall in Port Angeles. Winners were, from left, counselor Jason Gooding of the Port Angeles School District, educator of the year; Rose Thompson, executive director of the Dungeness Crab Festival and owner of Fogtown Coffee Bar, young leader of the year; Danny Steiger, CEO of Lumber Traders Inc., citizen of the year; Alicia Campion, administrator of Ridgeline Homecare Cooperative, emerging business of the year; Don Droz, general manager of Swain’s General Store, business of the year; and Elisia Anderson, executive director of First Step Family Support Center, organization of the year. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen, business of year honored at awards gala

Three finalists named in six categories for efforts in 2024

Winter virus season continues

Flu affecting students; RSV, COVID-19 mild