DESCRIPTION
The project would implement the designs beyond what the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Yelm intend as part of their mitigation obligation, using this publicly-owned property, providing a huge lift for salmonids in the Deschutes River.
The Deschutes River Ranch is located on a 185 acre parcel near RM 28.8 on the Deschutes River. There is a small tributary from Lake Lawrence that also runs through most of the property. The confluence is on the property. There are several year round springs on the property that have been tiled and ditched. Almost the entire system has been altered for farming, grazing, and agriculture. The project plan is to restore/repair a significant acreage of emergent wetlands and to recreate a functional a fish friendly stream channel through the property. There will also be a 4,000 foot riparian planting along the Deschutes River. Finally there will be a live crib wall installed on the river bank to reduce fine sediment from entering the project reach.
