Watershed Planning > Watershed Planning
Updates by WRIA > Grays-Elochoman and Cowlitz
Grays-Elochoman & Cowlitz Watershed Planning (WRIA 25/26)
Grants awarded through June 2008
$1,347,100
Projected grants July 2008 - June 2009
$165,500
Background
Wahkiakum, Lewis, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties unanimously adopted the Watershed Plan in July 2006. Plan adoption came after a county remand process and changes to the plan by the planning group.
Ecology awarded a Phase 4 implementation in October 2007 and the planning group is working on their detailed implementation plan. Ecology awarded Lewis County an Operating grant for a feasibility study on a potential regional water supply from the lower main stem Cowlitz River, which may serve the Vader-Toledo-Winlock area. This planning group was also awarded a $50K grant for further development of an innovative mitigation strategy for new water rights, which they are undertaking in conjunction with the Lewis/Salmon-Washougal planning group.
Additional information about the Grays-Elochoman and Cowlitz watershed plan can
be found on the plan website:
Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, Watershed Management Plans
Instream flow status
The watershed plan contains recommendations for numeric flows, open and closed areas, water reservations for future use, and offset requirements to access water from reservations. Ecology proposed rules in 2009.
Chapter 173-525 WAC - Grays-Elochoman Instream resources protection and watershed management program -
Chapter 173-526 WAC - Cowlitz Instream resources protection and watershed management program -
Link to other resources, studies, data
