DESCRIPTION
Jefferson County Conservation District (JCD), in partnership with Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC), developed a feasibility study and design project which identified the extent and nature of problems and habitat deficiencies in the floodplain complexes of the Middle Hoh River from river mile (RM) 17- 30 in Jefferson County. The Feasibility Study included the development of a restoration strategy based on stakeholder input and a review of existing literature. Following the development of the restoration strategy document, WFC ecologists and engineeres identified 20+ sites where potential restoration actions could be taken based on hydraulic, geomorphic, and riparian conditions. This project site list was then reviewed by the North Pacific Coast Lead Enitity (NPCLE) Technical Committee and ranked according to the project prioritization methodology outlined in the North Pacfic Coast (WRIA 20) Salmon Restoration Strategy. The NPCLE Technical Committee provided the project sponsor with the ranked list of the highest priority habitat restoration projects, and WFC developed conceptual designs for 5 high priority sites. The restoration goal of the Feasibility Study and Preliminary Project Design was to re-establish natural geomorphic processes that are essential in forming, connecting and sustaining the diversity of fluvial habitats required by native salmonids in the Hoh River.