This Public Notice announces the Section 408 Review of the Tri-State Steelheaders (TSS) proposal to remove the central pier of the 6^th Avenue Bridge and reconfiguring the trough of the USACE Mill Creek Flood Control Projects concrete channel to add fish passage roughness panels and resting pools for anadromous fish passage. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is reviewing the TTSs proposal as it would take place within the USACEs Mill Creek Flood Control Project which runs through the City of Walla Walla, Washington. These modifications would improve fish passage for migratory fish, including culturally significant Spring Chinook, endangered steelhead, and bull trout.

Alteration of a federally authorized project: The TSS proposes to remove the central pier of the 6^th Avenue Bridge and reconfiguring the trough of the USACE Mill Creek Flood Control Projects concrete channel to add fish passage roughness panels and resting pools for anadromous fish passage. Since the project would take place within the Mill Creek Flood Control Project, USACE is required to ensure the project would not adversely affect the operation or performance of the federally authorized infrastructure. USC 408 (Section 408) provides the authority to the Secretary of the Army to grant permission to the alteration or modification of USACE federal civil works projects when, in the judgment of the Secretary, such as alteration or modification will not be injurious to the public interest and will not impair the usefulness of the project.

Public Scoping Comments:

USACE is requesting comments regarding the proposed bridge replacement from the public; federal, state, and local agencies and officials; and other interested parties. Comments will be considered in determining whether it would be in the public interest to approve the proposed project.

All comments received will become part of the official record and are subject to public release under the Freedom of Information Act including any personally identifiable information such as names, phone numbers, and addresses.

How can I comment?

There are several ways that you can provide input on this study.

Interested parties should submit comments regarding the Tri-State Steelheaders 3^rd Street to 6^th Street Channel Improvements  

Comments should be sent electronically to cenww-section408@usace.army.mil. Message subject must read: Section 408 Review: NWW-2025-0003.

Correspondence must be dated between the date of this Public Notice 30 April 2026 and be electronically submitted by the comment due date, 15 May 2026

Alternatively, comments may be sent and postmarked by the due date 15 May 2026 to:

For additional information, please send an email to: cenww-section408@usace.army.mil, attention to: Marve Griffith

This public notice is issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District.