DESCRIPTION
The "Planning up the River" project builds on
the Quillayute River Geomorphic Assessment and Action Plan (funded by WCRRI
Project #18-2156) and the Quillayute River Reach 3 Restoration (funded by WCRRI
Project #20-1200R). The "Planning up the River (Quillayute Reaches
4-6)" project will advance restoration designs for Reaches 4-6. The goals of
this project are: (1) Advance Reach 4 Designs from Conceptual to Preliminary;
(2) Complete all necessary permitting for Reach 4; (3) Develop Final
(construction-ready) engineering designs for Reach 4; (4) Advance Reach 5
designs from Conceptual to Preliminary; (5) Advance Reach 6 Designs from
Conceptual to Preliminary; and (6) Project management and outreach for Reaches
4-6.
The Planning up the River project builds on the Quillayute River Geomorphic Assessment & Action Plan (WCRRI #18-2156) and the Quillayute River Reach 3 Restoration (#20-1200R). The Action Plan identifies reach-specific conceptual plans for restoration to improve habitat for 23 different stocks of salmonids, including Chinook, Steelhead, coho, chum, pink, & sockeye, while reducing flood risk in La Push and meeting the needs of the Tribal fishermen. The Quileute Tribe has identified a phased implementation of the Action Plan based on activities with the highest rated priority. Phase I is Reach 3 Restoration, set for construction in Summer 2022. Phase II includes partially reactivating a historic oxbow in Reach 4 to restore off-channel habitat, improve quantity and quality of salmon habitat, increase floodplain water storage, enhance hyporheic exchange, and decrease downstream erosion and flood risk. Phase III includes mainstem restoration of Reach 4 to improve habitat complexity and decrease bank erosion. Phases IV-V will include restoration of Reaches 5 and 6, with similar goals. The Planning up the River project will (1) advance Phase II (Historic Oxbow) project designs from Preliminary to Final; (2) advance Phase III Mainstem Reach 4 Designs from Conceptual to Preliminary to Final; (3) complete all necessary permitting for Phases II-III; (4) advance Reach 5 and 6 designs from Conceptual to Preliminary; and (5) fund project management and stakeholder outreach for Reaches 4-6.