“But it’s unclear how the state is going to come up with the estimated $2.4 billion needed ...”
Unclear? Since when has liberal state governments worry about coming up with money to spend?
Don’t get hung up the word culvert. The existing culvert pipes have to be replaced with approved fish friendly passage ways. Then you need to account for approval from state fish and wildlife, corps of engineers, tribes, and what ever other agency that wants a seat at the table.
That number also is only for state highways and does not include city or county roads culverts that. The first order of business is to survey all culvert locations and determine if they have any connection with a fish bearing stream so they will need to hire a bunch of biologists.
As for the cost to the state they just raised gas taxes by 12 cents/gallon so they will shift some of that money to cover these new expenses. This would be an excellent example to apply the “new EPA” cost benefit standard that came out of SCOTUS last week.
Gov. “Inthley” will find a way to get into my pockets, I’m sure.