Thursday, October 1, 2026
Thurston County Public Works personnel extracted aquatic fauna from a stream at Canning Court Southwest in Olympia this month, as it launched the environmental phase of a culvert replacement project.
The extraction was part of an environmental compliance process required before excavation work can begin, the county said in an announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
According to the county, it “designs and builds infrastructure to keep residents safe and connected while also minimizing environmental impacts of these projects.”
Preconstruction work is proceeding under Thurston County’s culvert replacement plan, which aims to remove deteriorating crossings that weaken roadways and block stream flow.
Nets were installed upstream and downstream of the site to contain aquatic life within the isolation area.
“The team of four (workers) safely relocated several sculpin, newts, crayfish, and amphibians outside of the work zone,” the public works department said in the announcement.
The transfer precedes dewatering to prevent aquatic species from being stranded once the streambed is drained for access.
Dewatering will draw water from the section to expose a dry, stable base for excavation. Pumps are going to route stream water around the project area until construction wraps up.
“Minimizing environmental impact is an essential component of every infrastructure project. We appreciate the community’s continued support as we work to enhance local roadways sustainably,” the public works department said.
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bonaro
This is irritating on so many levels. Here we have 4 Thurston County employees playing in the mud and catching frogs like they were 10 while being paid a salary of $50-60k. The culvert they are replacing is above a waterfall, no salmon up there. They plan to catch the critters so they can dewater the site...right before an atmospheric river that is expected to dump 4 inches of rain.
Keep in mind that all this foolishness comes right after the County announced a $36 million budget shortfall.
I'm pretty sure I know why...
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Report this
TheGreatAnon
Bonaro
I agreed with you until I gave it some thought.
1. Gotta know what critters are there, Science & all.
2. Replacing the culvert will increase stream flow & lessen flood potential
3. Maybe the salmon don't make it up there but the critters they eat do and they flush down stream.
4. And yeah, I don't see nothing wrong w/ my neighbors making some bank while doing good. Maybe you should apply for one of them gumint jobs instead of bitching about them.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 Report this