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Culvert AOP Program

Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Program

Background:

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” (BIL)) establishes the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant program (Culvert AOP Program) to provide funding for projects that would meaningfully improve or restore passage for anadromous fish (anadromous fish species are born in freshwater such as streams and rivers, spend most of their lives in the marine environment, and migrate back to freshwater to spawn. Salmon are the widely known examples of anadromous fish).

The Federal share of the cost of a Culvert AOP project carried out with a grant to a State or unit of local government may not exceed 80%. Federal share for Tribes is 100% [§ 21203(a); 49 U.S.C. 6703(f)].

Eligible Entities:

A State, unit of local government, or an Indian Tribe [§ 21203(a); 49 U.S.C. 6703(c)] may apply for funding under the Culvert AOP Program.

Project Requirements:

The Culvert AOP Program focuses on two project categories as differentiated by structure type:

  • Projects to replace, remove, or repair culverts that would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish.
  • Projects to replace, remove, or repair weirs that would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. With respect to weirs, the project may include: 1) infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir; and 2) weir improvements.
The following types of projects will be prioritized for Culvert AOP Program funding:
  1. Projects that would improve fish passage for:
    • Anadromous fish stocks listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. §1533);
    • Anadromous fish stocks identified by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that could reasonably become listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under that section;
    • Anadromous fish stocks identified by the NMFS or USFWS as prey for endangered species, threatened species, or protected species, including Southern resident orcas (Orcinus orcas); or
    • Anadromous fish stocks identified by the NMFS or the USFWS as climate resilient stocks; and
  2. Projects that would open up more than 200 meters of upstream anadromous habitat before the end of the natural habitat.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided $200M per year between FFY 2022 and 2026 with $800M additional funds per FFY subject to future appropriation. 

Schedule (FFY22)
  • NOFO (FY2022-CULVERT-AOP-Program) Released: 10/06/2022
  • Applications Due: 02/06/2023
  • Grant Recipients Announced: 08/16/2023
Resources
Culvert AOP Contacts

For more information regarding the Culvert AOP Program’s eligibility, applications, grant awards, or kickoff meetings, please contact: CulvertAOP@dot.gov

For more information regarding Caltrans management of this program, please contact: dalton.laboskey@dot.ca.gov