| Pacific
Northwest Region Boise, Idaho October 1, 2002 |
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Reclamation Hires Sub-basin Liaison for Wenatchee River Basin
The Bureau of Reclamation has hired a full-time liaison to assist willing landowners in improving habitat for fish in the Wenatchee River basin. Steve Kolk, a hydraulic engineer with 8 years' experience in fish programs, will work with local landowners and groups to provide assistance in removing instream barriers to salmon and steelhead migration.
The goals of this habitat program are to remove barriers to fish passage, to screen diversions, and to maintain stream flows to help the recovery of steelhead, bull trout, and chinook salmon in the Wenatchee River. Kolk can provide technical expertise and assist in finding and applying for grant money.
Kolk will also coordinate efforts with representatives from Chelan County Conservation District and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide engineering support for salmon restoration projects in the basin.
Kolk will coordinate Reclamation activities in the Wenatchee River Basin as outlined under the Biological Opinion issued in December 2000 by the National Marine Fisheries Service on the Federal Columbia River Power System.
A graduate of Penn State University, Kolk also earned a M.S. degree in environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He most recently worked with landowners, municipalities, and irrigation districts to address water supply problems in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area and is completing a master of water resources program through the University of New Mexico. He and his wife, Christina, now live in Wenatchee, Washington.
For further information, contact Steve Kolk, Wenatchee Sub-basin Liaison, at 301 Yakima Street, Room 31 , Wenatchee WA 98801. He may also be reached by phone (509) 667-8494, fax (509) 667-8495, or email skolk@pn.usbr.gov
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