Steadfast Fisheries Restoration in Southwest Washington – A 20 Year Program

Over the last century, the Chehalis River watershed in southwest Washington has seen a decline in Pacific salmon (Onchorhynchus sp.) populations likely due to activities such as land use practices and habitat fragmentation.  The Chehalis River is the second largest watershed in Washington State.  In the late 1980s, the salmon decline, and potential causes of that decline, were brought to the attention of the United States Congress.  As a result, the Chehalis River Basin Fishery Resources Study and Restoration Act was passed which lead to the creation of the Chehalis Fisheries Restoration Program.  Looking back over the past two decades there have been dramatic changes in approaches to restoration.  Initially, the Chehalis Fisheries Restoration Program focused on fencing projects, preventing livestock from accessing riparian areas, and bank stabilization projects.  Midway through the program, after an independent evaluation was conducted, a clear shift was made in the type of restoration projects- from primarily fencing projects to predominately fish passage barrier removal projects.  Education was one of the original objectives of the Restoration Program, and has had a steady presence in the Chehalis River watershed.  The Chehalis Fisheries Restoration Program has overcome challenges and had many successes over the past two decades, in part due to unwavering support from local advocates and partnerships with watershed groups.