Canyon Creek passage improvements are a high priority in the subbasin plan. Steelhead (mid Columbia ESU), spring Chinook (mid-Columbia ESU), interior redband trout and westslope cutthroat are all likely to realize long-term benefits from expanded spawning and rearing habitat. It is stated in the proposal that the culverts are partial barriers to adults and complete barriers to juveniles, but no data, even a cursory analysis showing that, is provided. Although this may be a worthwhile project, there is no evidence of even a preliminary fisheries assessment indicating the extent of the passage problem. It would not be expensive for the Forest Service to conduct a brief, straightforward evaluation verifying that a problem exists and to what extent. These data could become the "before" component of an effectiveness monitoring plan, currently lacking.

Even some information explaining the nature of the culvert, the height of the drop, and literature indicating the likelihood of a problem would help. The lack of a fisheries participant in this proposal showed in the choice of only general fisheries references and lack of any fisheries data from this site or elsewhere that could justify this expenditure. A response is needed with problems and benefits more clearly documented, and detail on what will be monitored and how. Methods seem reasonable and appropriate, but broader data sharing is needed.