French River Headwaters AMA Fish Passage Project

The goal of the proposed project is threefold: 1.) to remove a culvert that is impeding fish passage in the headwaters of the French River, a designated trout stream in northeast Minnesota 2.) to preserve the trail crossing at this location by replacing the culvert with an alternative, fish-friendly option (bridge) and 3.) to restore approximately 150 feet of the river channel once the culvert is removed.
The site is entirely contained within the State-owned French River Headwaters Aquatic Management Area. The DNR has offered to remove the culvert and haul away the material. This contribution is noted as ?additional funding ? in this application. The Reservoir Riders snowmobile club is donating the bridge, and this contribution will serve as the match. The grant funding we are requesting will pay for construction of the bridge abutments, placement of the bridge, and restoring the river channel once the culvert is removed. The project would occur during the early summer of 2017.