"Federal Grants to Replace Fish-Unfriendly Road Tunnels with Fish-Friendly Alternatives"

The Biden administration has announced nearly $200 million in federal infrastructure grants to upgrade culverts, tunnels that carry streams beneath roads but can be deadly to fish. Many of these culverts, built in the 1950s, have contributed to declining fish populations, particularly salmon. The grants will fund projects to upgrade or replace culverts with fish-friendly structures such as bridges, allowing water and fish to flow more freely. Washington state, which has been under a court order to improve fish crossings, will receive the most funding, followed by Alaska and Maine. Other states, including California, Oregon, and Idaho, will also receive grants. The initiative aims to protect fish habitats and support the economies of regions dependent on fisheries.