Wahkiakum County, in partnership with the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST) proposes to remove a full passage barrier consisting of five 48-inch culverts with failing top hinged tide gates at the confluence of the East Fork of Deep River with the Deep River mainstem. It is the first phase as part of a larger holistic watershed approach to increase fish access and enhance upstream tidal and fluvial floodplain habitat for salmonids. The project sponsor is requesting funding for the comprehensive investigation of flood hydrology and hydraulics at the range of flows that is relevant to salmon ecology, determining the expectations of affected landowners, and objectively evaluating a range of engineering alternatives (bridge, box culvert, muted tidal regulator, etc.) to restore natural hydrology and fish passage through East Deep River Road. Following the alternatives analysis, the project sponsors will move forward with the selection of a preferred alternative, and the full design of a preferred alternative to replace the culverts/tide gates on East Deep River Road with a more fish friendly structure. Addressing the existing dilapidated and undersized tide gates/culverts on East Deep River Road would remove a full barrier to fish passage providing access to approximately 126 acres of potential intertidal foraging and rearing habitat and 17 stream miles of instream habitat on the East Fork of Deep River and its tributaries.