Blaine County commissioners in central Idaho have approved permits what will allow workers to improve fish passage on a key stream for chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout.
The Idaho Mountain Express reports that commissioners last week approved work expected to start this week on Pole Creek.
The creek is designated critical habitat for the fish.
The stream-alteration and flood plain conditional-use permit means a culvert on private property that impedes fish passage will be replaced with a bridge.
The Salmon Falls Land & Livestock Co. sought reauthorization of its permit to divert water from the creek.
Experts say the culvert during high water constricts stream flow and speeds up the current so that fish can't swim against it.
Two other culverts have already been replaced farther upstream.