ALBUM IN PROGRESS-SEE KRIS O.
The SR 167 Completion Project in Fife, WA reaches a major milestone in July 2023, when work begins on restoring and realigning Hylebos Creek as it makes it way toward Commencement Bay.
Before restoration and realignment work can begin, biologists must catch and relocate all the fish in the stream so they're not harmed by this work. This is known as "de-fishing."
In this photo, the environmental experts are setting up a fine meshed screen in the stream. This keeps fish on one side or the other. Once the screen is in place, they'll walk downstream dragging another net, but not actively catching fish. They're trying to shoo the fish downstream and out of the area. It's less stressful for the fish if they can leave under their own steam. After a couple hundred feet, they'll set up a second fine-meshed net, essentially creating an area where fish can't get in or out. Then the crew will begin actively de-fishing the area between the two nets, looking for fish to catch and relocate.
Realigning Hylebos Creek is one part of a much larger and unique environmental mitigation program that we're doing as part of the SR 167 Completion Project.
Decades ago, areas on either side of I-5 at the Fife curve were converted to industrial and agricultural use, turning this area into a shadow of its former self. Hylebos Creek, for example, was diverted into ditches that followed straight lines and ran too close to I-5, allowing runoff from the road to enter the creek. Heavy rains led to chronic flooding on I-5 because the wetlands that used to act as a storage area for floodwater were gone. In addition to restoring the creek and making it more inviting to fish, especially Chinook and coho salmon, we'll also restore wetlands on the east side of I-5. In all, nearly 150 acres of wetlands and streams will be revitalized.
The SR 167 Completion project, along with restoring this vital habitat is part of WSDOT’s Puget Sound Gateway Program which completes critical links in Washington’s highway and freight network. It will build an important new connection to the Port of Tacoma, improve the movement of freight and reduce congestion on local roads and highways.
ALBUM IN PROGRESS-SEE KRIS O.
The SR 167 Completion Project in Fife, WA reaches a major milestone in July 2023, when work begins on restoring and realigning Hylebos Creek as it makes it way toward Commencement Bay.
Before restoration and realignment work can begin, biologists must catch and relocate all the fish in the stream so they're not harmed by this work. This is known as "de-fishing."
In this photo, the environmental experts are setting up a fine meshed screen in the stream. This keeps fish on one side or the other. Once the screen is in place, they'll walk downstream dragging another net, but not actively catching fish. They're trying to shoo the fish downstream and out of the area. It's less stressful for the fish if they can leave under their own steam. After a couple hundred feet, they'll set up a second fine-meshed net, essentially creating an area where fish can't get in or out. Then the crew will begin actively de-fishing the area between the two nets, looking for fish to catch and relocate.
Realigning Hylebos Creek is one part of a much larger and unique environmental mitigation program that we're doing as part of the SR 167 Completion Project.
Decades ago, areas on either side of I-5 at the Fife curve were converted to industrial and agricultural use, turning this area into a shadow of its former self. Hylebos Creek, for example, was diverted into ditches that followed straight lines and ran too close to I-5, allowing runoff from the road to enter the creek. Heavy rains led to chronic flooding on I-5 because the wetlands that used to act as a storage area for floodwater were gone. In addition to restoring the creek and making it more inviting to fish, especially Chinook and coho salmon, we'll also restore wetlands on the east side of I-5. In all, nearly 150 acres of wetlands and streams will be revitalized.
The SR 167 Completion project, along with restoring this vital habitat is part of WSDOT’s Puget Sound Gateway Program which completes critical links in Washington’s highway and freight network. It will build an important new connection to the Port of Tacoma, improve the movement of freight and reduce congestion on local roads and highways.