National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior Elwha Wild & Scenic River Eligibility Report Final Draft July 2004 Executive Summary Purpose and Background of this Study This draft study report evaluates the eligibility and classification of the Elwha River watershed, located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (National System). This assessment makes no recommendation as to whether or not the river should be placed in the National System. It only addresses its eligibility and classification. If a river segment is found to be eligible, policy requires that federal land management agencies do everything possible to ensure that the resource values, which are the basis of the eligibility, are protected. An eligibility study is the first step in a process that could result in a river eventually being designated into the National System. If a river is found eligible, typically the next step is to conduct a suitability study. A suitability study assesses whether or not eligible segments should be included in the National System. It is based on public input and an assessment of the ability of the river segment(s) to be managed to protect the river values. In most cases management alternatives are also developed in conjunction with or after a suitability analysis. If eligibility and suitability studies contain favorable recommendations, designation of the river into the National System can happen through two ways: (1) By Act of Congress and (2) By the Secretary of the Interior through a recommendation from a State’s Governor (Section 2(a)(ii)). The National Park Service would not move forward with recommending segments of the Elwha, either within or outside the Park boundary, for designation without consultation and support from the public and local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments. When a river segment is formally designated through Congress into the National System, a management plan is developed and adopted. In addition an evaluation of potential impacts to the river of any proposed federal water resource project is completed through an analysis under Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA). The river segment also receives recognition for being part of the National System. Under the WSRA, the river must meet physical requirements to be eligible as a component of the National System. These physical requirements are 1) the river must be free-flowing; and 2) the river must have at least one “outstanding remarkable value” (ORVs), a resource important or unique to the region or nation. If a river is eligible for the National System, there are three possible classifications of the river or river segment–“wild,” “scenic,” and “recreational.” These classifications are based on the degree of human modification of the river and adjacent shorelands. Findings of this Study The entire length of the Elwha River and its tributaries possesses five outstanding remarkable values– wildlife, fish, prehistory, history, and scenery. For a more accurate analysis, the river was divided into two segments. All the Elwha River tributaries were also evaluated. Below are the results of the river’s eligibility and preliminary classification under current and future conditions. Present Conditions. Elwha Segment 1-Elwha River from its mouth to the backwaters of Glines Canyon Dam–This segment is not eligible because of the lack of free-flowing conditions created by Elwha Dam at river mile 4.9 and Glines Canyon Dam at river mile 13.5. A rock diversion structure also exists at river mile 3.3, but this structure alone would not bar this segment from inclusion. i Segment 2-Elwha River from the backwaters of Glines Canyon Dam to the river’s headwaters–This segment is free-flowing and contains five ORVs. Due to its pristine character and limited non-motorized access, this segment would be classified as wild. Tributaries All tributaries, excluding Indian Creek and Little River – Wild. Indian Creek for its entire length – Recreational – due to the presence of adjacent roadways. Little River from its confluence with the Elwha to RM 1.4 – Recreational – due to the presence of adjacent roadways; Remaining length–Wild. Future Conditions. Future plans include removing the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams and restoring the river. In addition, the rock diversion structure at RM 3.3 will be replaced with an engineered riffle. The dam removal is scheduled to start in 2007. When these future plans are complete, the free-flowing character of segment 1 would be restored. The following would be the changes in the river’s eligibility and preliminary classification: Elwha Segment 1-Elwha River from its mouth to the backwaters of the Glines Canyon Dam– Recreational Segment 2-Elwha River from the backwaters of Glines Canyon Dam to the river’s headwaters–No change Tributaries No change Elwha River Watershed – Eligibility and Classification Eligibility Criteria Recommendations 1. Free- 2. Contains at Now After Elwha and flowing least one ORV Glines Canyon Dams are Removed Segment 1: Mouth to RM 15.3 Elwha River Currently is Contains 5 Not Eligible Eligible - not free- ORVs Recreational flowing, but will be once the dams are removed Segment 2: RM 15.3 to Headwaters Elwha River Free-flowing Contains 5 Eligible- Eligible - Wild ORVs Wild All Tributaries Indian Creek Free-flowing Contains 5 Eligible- Eligible- ORVs Recreational Recreational Little River Free-flowing Contains 5 Eligible- Eligible- Mouth to RM 1.4 ORVs Recreational Recreational RM 1.4 to headwaters Wild Wild All other tributaries Free-flowing Contains 5 Eligible- Eligible- ORVs Wild Wild ii Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................I INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................1 PURPOSE.....................................................................................................................................................................1 WILD & SCENIC RIVERS ACT - CRITERIA AND PROCESS ............................................................................................1 STUDY AREA/SEGMENTS - ELWHA RIVER WATERSHED ............................................................................................2 EXISTING ASSESSMENTS AND REPORTS .....................................................................................................................2 Draft Staff Report: Glines Canyon (FERC No. 588) and Elwha (FERC No. 2683) Hydroelectric Projects, Washington, Volume 1, March 1993 .....................................................................................................................3 The Elwha River Restoration Report, January 1994 .............................................................................................3 The Elwha River Ecosystem Restoration Final EIS, June 1995 ............................................................................3 Elwha River Ecosystem Restoration Implementation Final EIS, November 1996.................................................4 Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental EIS, July 2002 ..................................................................................4 FEDERAL MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................................................4 Olympic National Park (ONP) ..............................................................................................................................4 Olympic National Forest .......................................................................................................................................5 Olympic Peninsula Wilderness ..............................................................................................................................5 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)........................................................................................5 NONFEDERAL MANAGEMENT.....................................................................................................................................6 Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe ..................................................................................................................................6 EVALUATION OF ELIGIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................7 FREE-FLOWING CONDITION .......................................................................................................................................7 OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES ..................................................................................................................8 Wildlife ..................................................................................................................................................................8 Fish......................................................................................................................................................................14 Prehistoric Resources .........................................................................................................................................20 Historic Resources...............................................................................................................................................22