Rural Action seeks county help mapping culverts and bridges under Nature Conservancy grant

A representative of Rural Action asked Lawrence County commissioners on Aug. 26 to help identify problem road-stream crossings and local contacts as part of a Nature Conservancy-funded survey intended to restore stream connectivity and improve fish passage.
Sarah Benton, speaking for Rural Action, described the program as a “road stream crossing project” that maps culverts, bridges and other structures to identify undersized or failing crossings that impede water flow and habitat connectivity. She said the effort covers Scioto, Lawrence and Gallia counties and that the group will prioritize projects that work for local communities.
Benton asked the commission to provide locations of known problem sites and to connect Rural Action with county engineering staff and local stakeholders. Commissioners recommended Benton coordinate directly with the county engineer on bridges, culverts and drainage structures; a commissioner noted the county engineer is responsible for those structures countywide.
Benton said the project’s immediate scope focuses on culverts and bridges and on identifying sites for follow-up funding; she noted the project is not designed to cover large-scale dredging but that Rural Action can act as a matchmaker between local needs and funding sources when appropriate. She said the Nature Conservancy funding supports assessments and prioritization for future restoration work.
No formal county action or funding commitment was made; commissioners agreed to facilitate contact with the county engineer and to consider local priorities as Benton’s team maps sites and develops projects.