Restoration Details and Results
Our StreamTeam has received several grants from the Department of Ecology through the Centennial Clean Water Program, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Section 319 Grant Program. These grants have allowed us to significantly increase our level of stream restoration work in the Salmon Creek and East Fork Lewis River Watersheds. Both grant sources address known water quality impairments in these watersheds, including stream temperature, turbidity, fecal coliform and dissolved oxygen.
Grant-funded projects in the last ten years include:
Salmon Creek Restoration Project
This EPA Section 319 grant funds work done in partnership with Washington State University–Vancouver, focusing on Mill Creek. Once completed, more than 4,000 lineal feet of stream will be restored and enhanced and more than 20,000 trees and shrubs planted. Partners include the AmeriCorps program, the Washington Service Corps, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Corrections, the Salmon Creek Watershed Council, NW Fish Rescue and community volunteers.
Salmon Creek Riparian Restoration Project
This grant, implemented in partnership with private landowners along Salmon Creek in the Venersborg area, the Salmon Creek Greenway and on Mill Creek, funds the planting of 20,000 trees along 5,000 lineal feet of stream over 20 acres; livestock exclusionary fencing; and landowner training. We’ve planted close to 18,000 trees over 5,600 lineal feet of stream over nearly 27 acres. Partners include the AmeriCorps program, the Washington Service Corps, Northwest Service Academy, Clark County, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Corrections, the Salmon Creek Watershed Council, NW Fish Rescue and community volunteers.
Prior to the current Salmon Creek Riparian Restoration Project, Centennial Clean Water Program grant-funding between 2007 and 2011 stabilized 500 feet of eroding streambank, planted 15,000 trees, and restored 10 acres of riparian area over 3,000 lineal feet of stream. In addition, outreach and education included teaching 3,000 students about the water cycle and training landowners on a host of natural history topics. Partners for this project included the AmeriCorps program, Northwest Service Academy, Clark County, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Corrections, civic organizations and community volunteers.
East Fork Lewis River Improvements
This grant was awarded in July of 2007 and funded work done over the course of five years in the Reach 6 area of the East Fork Lewis River Watershed. More than 65,000 trees were planted over 35 acres, livestock exclusionary fencing was installed and landowners were provided with training on property improvements and maintenance. Partners include Clark County, the AmeriCorps program, Northwest Service Academy, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Corrections, civic organizations and community volunteers.
Lockwood Creek Riparian Restoration
This Centennial grant began in 2007 and finished in June of 2011. The project included private landowners and the Lockwood Creek downstream of Lockwood Creek Road about a mile east of La Center. Goals included stabilizing 1,000 feet of eroding streambank, planting 20,000 trees, and restoring 18 acres of riparian area over 4,000 lineal feet of stream. Outreach and education goals included teaching 3,000 students about the water cycle and training landowners. All metrics for this grant were exceeded and included planting more than 47,131 trees and shrubs along 4,150 feet of stream on 23 acres. More than 1,500 feet eroding streambanks were stabilized. More than 3,800 students learned the basics of the water cycle and over 24 landowners participated in trainings.