Grays-Elochoman & Cowlitz Watershed Planning (WRIA 25/26)

Lead agency contact:

Steve Manlow, Salmon Recovery and Watershed Program Manager
Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board
(360) 425-1552
smanlow@lcfrb.gen.wa.us

Ecology contact:

Scott McKinney
Department of Ecology
(360) 407-6389
smck461@ecy.wa.gov

Implementation phase:

Planning phase: Plan approved by planning unit December 2004

Optional elements: Quality, Habitat, Flows

Plan due: 3rd Quarter 2004

Grants awarded: $1,175,000 through June 2005

Plan website: Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board

Progress

The final Grays-Elochoman/Cowlitz Watershed Plan was approved by a unanimous vote of the Planning Unit on December 9, 2004. The plan includes water supply, water quality, instream flows, and habitat components. The habitat component of this plan was adopted from the Lower Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Plan, which was the first regional recovery plan completed in the state. Significant results and findings of the watershed plan include:

Water supplies and water rights are generally considered adequate for the future.

Minimal to no growth is projected for most of the areas.

Primary customers for water use are residential users.

Farmers are experiencing delays in their ability to relinquish and transfer water rights.

There have been more concerns expressed about water quality in the area than water quantity.

Very low flows in late summer and early fall are factors limiting the recovery of salmon. Chinook, Steelhead, chum and bull trout are listed as threatened, and Coho is a candidate for listing in the near future.

The Planning Unit has forwarded the approved plan to the respective counties for review and consideration, with final county action anticipated for spring 2005.

Studies or data relevant to planning for this area

Other resources

Washington State Department of Ecology home page

Please send additions or corrections to Chris Anderson, (360) 407-6634.