Specialty: Civil and applied engineering for fisheries
Principal/owner: Jay Kidder
1999 revenues: $150,000
2000 projected: $300,000
Location: Coupeville
"Habitat restoration and improvement is all the buzz these days," said a busy Jay Kidder, sole proprietor of Chinook Engineering.
As a fisheries biologist and civil engineer, Kidder splits his time between fish passage and culvert work, as well as habitat restoration work and multipurpose dams. Kidder also consults on culvert replacements, erosion control, bank stabilization and fish ladders.
On the Lynch and Crazy creeks on the south fork of the Tolt River, Kidder consulted on a restored channel and revegetation project, allowing fish passage up and down stream. He also provided fish passage consultation on a multipurpose dam project on the Truckee River near Reno. Multipurpose dams, he said, allow both fish and boaters to pass.
In the area of habitat restoration, Kidder employs bioengineering methods that involve the use of geosynthetics and wood.
"The buzz in the fisheries world is to put wood back into streams," he said, referring to habitat restoration. "It needs to be correctly engineered so it doesn't damage someone's property downstream." Part of the buzz for bank and river restoration has to do with experimenting with new materials, such as geosynthetics and coconut-fabric logs, in addition to large organic debris, Kidder said.
"We're softening our approach, and using a lot more wood and bioengineering techniques. They provide erosion control," he said.
Kidder said he is excited by the fact that "low-land farmers and the agricultural community are embracing fisheries restoration work." Land owners who have worked with Kidder also include the forestry industry. Timber companies have shown a willingness, for example, to removing migration blockages and installing new or larger culverts.
"A couple of my clients are timber companies, and they really do embrace habitat restoration," he said.