Grant Insights: National Culvert Removal Replacement and Restoration Grant Program

1. Replacement, Removal, or Repair of Culverts or Weirs (Construction and Non-Construction Activities) 

Applicants must provide at least 20% of the total project costs via non-federal matching contributions; there is no matching requirement for Tribal entities.  

Eligible Projects must:

1. Meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish; 
   
2. Involve the replacement, removal, or repair of culverts or weirs; and
3. Have a transportation nexus (e.g., involve, relate to, or be situated in close proximity to a road/rail crossing, pipeline, highway, or other transportation infrastructure).

*With respect to weirs, an Eligible Project may also include infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir and/or weir improvements.

Non-Construction Activities: 

• Planning; feasibility studies; revenue forecasting; environmental reviews; preliminary engineering and design studies; and other pre-construction activities. 

Construction Activities:

• Replacement and preservation; reconstruction; rehabilitation; acquisition of real property (including land related to the project and improvements to the land); environmental mitigation; construction contingencies; acquisition of equipment; and operational improvements directly related to improving system performance.
  

• States; 
  
• Units of Local Government; and  
  
• Tribal Entities

• DOT seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety; equity; climate and sustainability; workforce development; job quality; and wealth creation.  
  
• Costs of replacing, removing, or repairing culverts or weirs that are the subject of a settlement agreement or court order are eligible under the Culvert AOP Program, and are reimbursable if awarded a grant under this program and incurred pursuant to such award. 

The Culvert AOP Program prioritizes 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; 
  
• 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 the USFWS as prey for endangered species, threatened species, or protected species, including southern resident orcas (Orcinus orca); or 
  
• Anadromous fish stocks identified by the NMFS or the USFWS as climate-resilient stocks. 

Additionally, the program prioritizes projects that would open more than 200 meters of upstream (anadromous) habitat before the end of the natural habitat. 

Project Selection Criteria:

1. Conservation Benefits to Anadromous Fish 
   
2. Regional and Watershed Context 
   
3. Ecosystem Benefits 
   
4. Project Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation 
   
5. Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resilience 
   
6. Equity and Barriers to Opportunity 

Applicant Support: DOT will provide technical and interagency resources at the Culvert AOP Program website; and provide technical assistance to Tribal entities and underserved communities to assist with project design and grant procedures. 

Previously awarded FY22 Culvert AOP Program projects can be found on the USDOT – FHWA website: Culvert AOP Program Grant Recipients 

Name: Ryan Buck – FHWA Agreement Officer (Primary Contact) 
Email/Phone: CulvertAOP@dot.gov (preferred); and (202) 366-4229 
Name: Robin Hobbs – FHWA Agreement Officer/Team Lead (Alternate Contact) 
Email/Phone: CulvertAOP@dot.gov (preferred); and (202) 366-4004