WFLHD, Projects, Boundary Bridge

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Introduction

Boundary Bridge is located on Forest Road 25 in Skagit County, Washington, just north of the Skagit/Snohomish County line. It is not within the boundary of the National Forest, though it provides access to Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest lands.

In its original state, Boundary Bridge crossed the Suiattle River, which was designated as part of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River System. In October 2003 a flood washed out the southern approach of Boundary Bridge and the boat launch on the south side. Numerous logjams and large deposits of sediment altered the river channel within and adjacent to the project site. The washed out bridge leaves no year-round access to the lands south of Boundary Bridge. If repairs to the White Chuck Road (Road 23) were made, then longer and very limited seasonal access would be available.

Non-National Forest landowners and the USFS managers have expressed need for re-establishment of direct access to the lands. Local tribal members desire year-round access to tribal trust lands and for cultural activities such as: camping; hunting; gathering of forest resources including berries, mushrooms and cedar bark for medicine, baskets and tools; ceremonial use; and access to historic fishing, burial and hunting grounds. Ceremonial use is of particular concern to tribal members because rituals usually take place during the winter. The USFS would like access for forest management as well as to maintain public recreational activities including hiking, gathering, fishing and camping. Multiple recreational river running groups have expressed the need for a restored access point at Boundary Bridge. Other non-national Forest lands in the area which are accessed by Boundary Bridge include: the Bureau of Indian Affairs lands, Grandy Lake Forest Association lands and the Department of Natural Resources lands.

The Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service (USFS) proposes to re-establish safe, year-round vehicular access to the lands south of the Suiattle River while minimizing impacts to natural resources. The proposed design is intended to improve the hydraulic capacity of the river by allowing the channel to meander more freely and not replacing the channel restriction presented by the existing bridge. This would minimize in-water work and consequential affects. Access is proposed to be restored by replacing the washed out bridge section with a new bridge span connecting to the existing bridge structure. Along with the bridge superstructure, this will require construction of a temporary access bridge, new bridge pier and abutment. The proposed project will provide additional width for future channel shifts of the Suiattle River. The project is being funded through the Emergency Relief Federal Owned (ERFO) program.

Due to the presence of endangered fish and wildlife species, other agencies that will participate will include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries. Due to the designation of the river and waterway impacts, compliance with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and Clean Water Act will also be addressed by WFLHD and the USFS in the environmental process. Additional primary stakeholders include the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, the Swinomish Tribal Community, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Consultation and coordination with other local, state and federal agencies was performed as appropriate.

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Contacts:

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
WESTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION
610 East Fifth Street
Vancouver, Washington 98661-3801