DESCRIPTION
In the late 1980's early 1990's WDFW identified and developed 54 off channel habitat sites with the intent to increase capacity (area and depth) of the selected habitat. Methods used were excavation of ponds and installation of plank/log/rock weirs or lumber/concrete fishways to retain the increased habitat. WDFW supported these improvements until 2004 when Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition (PCSC) took over maintenance responsibilities. These improvements are at the end of their lifespan, regular maintenance is no longer adequate, and failures will mean loss off quality habitat, mainly for juvenile Coho rearing. PCSC began an initial assessment in 2018 of these sites with biological support from WDFW. The initial assessment showed that all the habitat sites were in an advanced state of disrepair and will require extensive funds/labor to make needed renovations keep the habitat functional. It was the opinion of PCSC, WDFW, Quileute Tribe and Hoh Tribe that a different solution was needed other than keeping and continuing to maintain existing structures.
In the late 1980's early 1990's WDFW identified and developed 54 off channel habitat sites with the intent to increase capacity (area and depth) of the selected habitat. Several methods were used, depending on site conditions, to excavate ponds and install plank/log/rock weirs or lumber/concrete fish ways to establish more permanent access and increase habitat area and productivity. WDFW supported these improvements until 2004 when Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition (PCSC) took over maintenance responsibilities. These improvements are at the end of their lifespan, regular maintenance is no longer adequate, and failures will mean loss of high quality habitat, mainly for juvenile Coho rearing, but also including adult spawning at some sites, and adult and juvenile utilization by Chinook, Steelhead, and several trout species. PCSC began an initial assessment in 2018 of these sites with biological support from WDFW and watershed managers. The initial assessment showed that all the habitat sites were in an advanced state of disrepair and will require extensive funds/labor to make needed renovations keep the habitat functional. It was the opinion of PCSC, WDFW, Quileute Tribe and Hoh Tribe that a different solution was needed other than keeping and continuing to maintain existing structures. The need for a coordinated effort to assess current conditions and develop a clear path forward for each site has given rise to this grant application.
