Salmon Recovery in Thurston County

The 1998-99 Legislature anticipated the Endangered Species Act listings of salmon in the state and decided that it is in the public interest for the state to manage its natural resources. The Salmon Recovery Act (RCW 77.85) created a grassroots, local watershed planning process to identify both immediate and long-term salmon recovery actions. It also created the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office (GSRO) to coordinate the overall effort and support development of regional planning groups.

Watershed groups across the state have involved many interest groups in projects to improve habitat. The Salmon Recovery Funding Board has created a scientific process to fund local groups. Watershed and local government efforts are being used by five regional groups to complete recovery plans by 2005.

Thurston County has been a participant in Salmon Recovery in the county’s four watersheds and the greater Puget Sound. The four watersheds are the Nisqually River Watershed (WRIA 11), the Upper and Lower Chehalis River Watershed (WRIAs 22 and 23), the Kennedy-Goldsborough Watershed (WRIA 14), and the Deschutes Watershed (WRIA 13). For the greater Puget Sound salmon recovery efforts the Shared Strategy for Puget Sound leads the collaborative effort to protect and restore salmon runs across Puget Sound.

Most of the salmon recovery efforts are focused on the grant program administered by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. For a description about the Salmon Recovery Funding Board go to: http://www.rco.wa.gov.

Lead entities are responsible for salmon recovery in their respective Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs). Lead entities are voluntary organizations under contract with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Lead entities define their geographic scope and are encouraged to largely match watershed boundaries. Lead entities are essential in ensuring the best projects are proposed to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board for its annual grant process. A list of the lead entities, contact information, and other information can be found at: http://www.rco.wa.gov/srfb/leadentities.htm.

To view the list of salmon recovery projects in Thurston County funded through the Salmon Recovery Funding Board process to date click here. The list includes the project sponsor, project description, WRIA, IAC contribution, sponsor contribution, total project cost, type, status, and totals by WRIA and the county. For a more detailed project description please go to the link provided below for each watershed.

Nisqually River Watershed (WRIA 11):

The lead entity for the Nisqually River salmon recovery effort is the Nisqually Indian Tribe. Salmon Recovery planning includes development and continual refinement of a recovery strategy. To view the Nisqually Chinook Salmon Recovery Plan click here.

To view the Nisqually River Watershed projects and their description funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and project sponsors to date go to: http://www.rco.wa.gov/maps/projects.htm and click on “Grant Project Maps” and by choosing the correct criteria all the projects and their status will be listed.

Lead Entity Contact: Jeannette Dorner, (360) 438-8687 or email jdorner@nwifc.wa.gov .

Thurston County Contact: Mark J. Swartout, (360) 709-3079 or email swartom@co.thurston.wa.us .

Chehalis River Watershed (WRIAs 22/23):

The lead entity for the Chehalis River salmon recovery effort is Grays Harbor County. Salmon Recovery planning includes development and continual refinement of a recovery strategy. To view the Chehalis Basin Salmon Habitat Restoration and Preservation Work Plan for WRIAs 22 and 23 please go to here.

To view the Chehalis River Watershed projects funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and project sponsors to date go to: http://www.rco.wa.gov/maps/projects.htm and click on “Grant Project Maps” and by choosing the correct criteria all the projects and their status will be listed.

Lead Entity Contact: Lee Napier, (360) 249-4222 or email
lnapier@co.grays-harbor.wa.us 

Thurston County Contact: Mark J. Swartout, (360) 709-3079 or email swartom@co.thurston.wa.us

Kennedy-Goldsborough Watershed (WRIA 14):

The lead entity for the Kennedy-Goldsborough salmon recovery effort is Mason Conservation District. Salmon Recovery planning includes development and continual refinement of a recovery strategy. To view the Salmon Habitat Protection and Restoration Plan for Water Resource Inventory Area 14, Kennedy-Goldsborough please go here.

To view the Kennedy-Goldsborough projects funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and project sponsors to date go to: http://www.rco.wa.gov/maps/projects.htm and click on “Grant Project Maps” and by choosing the correct criteria all the projects and their status will be listed.

Lead Entity Contact: Amy Hatch-Winecka, (360) 427-9436 or email
wria13-14leadentity@thurstoncd.com 

Thurston County Contact: Jeanne Kinney, (360) 754-4580 ext. 7845 or email kinneyj@co.thurston.wa.us

Deschutes River Watershed (WRIA 13):

The lead entity for the Deschutes River salmon recovery effort is Thurston Conservation District. Salmon Recovery planning includes development and continual refinement of a recovery strategy. To view the Salmon Habitat Protection and Restoration Plan for Water Resource Inventory Area 13, Deschutes please go here.

To view the Deschutes Watershed projects funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and project sponsors to date go to: http://www.rco.wa.gov/maps/projects.htm and click on “Grant Project Maps” and by choosing the correct criteria all the projects and their status will be listed.

Lead Entity Contact: Amy Hatch-Winecka, (360) 427-9436 or email
wria13-14leadentity@thurstoncd.com 

Thurston County Contact: Jeanne Kinney, (360) 754-4580 ext. 7845 or email kinneyj@co.thurston.wa.us 

Puget Sound Partnership – Salmon Recovery (link to website)

On January 1, 2008, The Puget Sound Partnership Act, Section 49(3), RCW 77.85.090(3) designated the Partnership to serve as the regional salmon recovery organization for Puget Sound salmon species, except Hood Canal Summer Chum. This legislation provided for a timely and thoughtful transition of the regional salmon responsibilities from Shared Strategy, the organization that coordinated development of the salmon recovery plan, to the Partnership as the organization that will help implement the plan.
As the regional salmon recovery entity, the Partnership inherits a community-based, scientifically rigorous, and regionally significant recovery plan that was built through a multi-year stakeholder process. Using the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan as a guide, the Partnership is working with local stakeholders and communities, Indian tribes, businesses, and state and federal agencies to identify, sequence, prioritize, and implement projects and programs to recover salmon. Projects and programs include:

    Protecting and restoring habitat,

    Raising public awareness,

    Reforming hatchery management,

    Assuring integration of harvest practices, and

    Developing a monitoring and adaptive management strategy to help track and assess efforts to recover salmon in Puget Sound.

Salmon recovery and Sound recovery must go hand in hand. Salmon recovery work in the watersheds that make up Puget Sound is the cornerstone of broader Puget Sound recovery efforts. The Partnership is working with watershed groups, which contribute creativity, knowledge, and motivation to implementing lasting solutions to the complex challenges facing salmon and Puget Sound. 

Thurston County Contacts:

Mark J. Swartout, (360) 709-3079 or email swartom@co.thurston.wa.us

Cindy Wilson, (360) 786-5475 or email wilsonc@co.thurston.wa.us