CHEHALIS BASIN FISHERIES TASK FORCE 25 YEARS OF ACTION CHEHALIS BASIN FISHERIES TASK FORCE 25 YEARS OF ACTION Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force 115 S Wooding Street Aberdeen, WA 98520 Phone/Fax: (360) 533-1766 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.cbftf.com Prepared by: Ellie McMillan Project Data Provided by: CBFTF Technical Staff CBFTF Board Members ©2004 Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force Our Mission: Producing salmon for sport and commercial fisheries; Enhancing steelhead and cutthroat trout resources; and Restoring, enhancing and protecting stream habitat critical to these anadromous species. Who are we? The CBFTF is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing populations of salmon, steelhead, and searun cutthroat trout by and for the citizens and the communities in the Chehalis River Basin. Who is involved? Operations are governed by twenty member (maximum) Board of Directors. These community leaders represent a broad range of Chinook Salmon fisheries interests including commercial and sport fishing enterprises, Tribes, government agencies, private and public organizations and community members. The Board of Directors oversees the operations of the Task Force, determines direction and policy, evaluates projects for funding, seeks out future funding sources and conducts the business of the corporation. The Task Force does not discuss fisheries allocations or other user specific differences. At our table differences are laid aside in favor of enhancing and protecting the Chum Salmon resource for the benefit of all. What do we do? We believe the best way to restore fish runs for the long term is through a balanced approach that includes: · Basin-wide habitat restoration and protection efforts with emphasis on both fisheries restoration and water quality; · Native/wild stock restoration · Enhancement programs that are cost effective and efficient; and, · Community outreach and education that is Coho Salmon focused toward the grassroots citizenry. Accomplishments in abstract: Chehalis Basin tributaries are inhabited by Chinook, Chum, and Coho Salmon. Anadromous steelhead are also common. These salmonid resources have traditionally been a significant element of the culture, quality of life and economy within the Chehalis Basin; however, over recent years they have been in steady decline. Through the commitment of citizens and communities, significant progress has been made to reverse this trend. Today in the Chehalis River 85% of hatchery Coho, 100% of hatchery Chinook, and 100% of hatchery Chum available for harvest come directly from or are dependent on projects funded by the Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force. Area Served: The area served by the Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force encompasses the entire Chehalis River watershed; the second largest river system in the state of Washington. The Chehalis Basin contains 90% of Grays Harbor, 30% of Mason, 55% of Thurston, 50% of Lewis, and small parts of Pacific, Jefferson, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties; encompassing 1,694,951 acres. This area encompasses both Watershed Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) 22 and 23. WRIA 22 is known as the Lower Chehalis, and WRIA 23 is known as the Upper Chehlis. This region consists of two major and a number of minor, independent drainages and 1,391 rivers and streams containing 3,353 linear stream miles. The Hoquiam and Humptulips Rivers, plus several smaller systems, enter Grays Harbor from the north; the Chehalis River from the east; and the Johns and Elks Rivers, along with a number of smaller drainages, from the south. Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) 22 & 23 CHEHALIS BASIN FISHERIES TASK FORCE Table of Contents Section....................................................................................................................................Page ACTION PLAN Mission Statement............................................................................................................1 Executive Summary.........................................................................................................1 Introduction......................................................................................................................1 History..............................................................................................................................2 Area Served......................................................................................................................3 Present Operations ...........................................................................................................4 Organizational Structure ..................................................................................................4 Accomplishments.............................................................................................................5 Goals and Objectives .......................................................................................................6 ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS Baxters Pond ....................................................................................................................9 Blazer Creek Restoration.................................................................................................9 Burg Slough Remote Site Incubator Project....................................................................10 Carlisle .............................................................................................................................10 Eight Creek ......................................................................................................................11 Long Live the Kings ........................................................................................................12 Ruggles & Ditton.............................................................................................................13 Satsop Springs..................................................................................................................14 Upper Chehalis Doty........................................................................................................15 Upper Chehalis Wild Steelhead Broodstocking ..............................................................15 Wild Wynoochee Coho Project........................................................................................16 Broodstocking..................................................................................................................16 Native Broodstocking Projects in the Chehalis Basin .....................................................17 HABITAT PROJECTS Ackers Over-Wintering....................................................................................................18 Allen Creek ......................................................................................................................18 Beatty Creek.....................................................................................................................19 Cabe/Fenn ........................................................................................................................20 Chehalis Headwaters Restoration....................................................................................20 Coffee Creek ....................................................................................................................21 Conway Over-Wintering..................................................................................................21 Cooperative Agreement Between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force ........................................................................22 Creamer’s Rearing & Spawning Channel........................................................................23 Deep Creek Watershed Restoration................................................................................24 Dillenbaugh Creek Headwaters Project ...........................................................................25 CHEHALIS BASIN FISHERIES TASK FORCE Table of Contents Section....................................................................................................................................Page Eaton Creek......................................................................................................................26 Fagernus Riparian Restoration.........................................................................................26 Frye Creek........................................................................................................................27 Gaddis ..............................................................................................................................27 Jack Creek Culvert Removal............................................................................................28 Kelly Creek ......................................................................................................................28 Kennemer Creek ..............................................................................................................29 Lantz Creek......................................................................................................................30 Lincoln Creek...................................................................................................................32 Lincoln Creek North Fork................................................................................................32 Lincoln Creek South Fork................................................................................................32