We are thrilled to announce that the East Fork Lewis Floodplain Reclamation Project has secured $20 million in funding! This project addresses long-standing issues with salmon and steelhead habitat, as well as flooding and erosion threats to homes, county property, and businesses. Not only does it solve these problems, but it also brings economic benefits, sustaining over 300 jobs in the region.
The project recently received $5.4 million from the Department of Ecology's Floodplains by Design program, and NOAA has recommended a $7.5 million grant for the East Fork Lewis Floodplain Reclamation Project. These grants will be combined with the $7.06 million awarded by the Washington Recreation Conservation Office Salmon Recovery Funding Board in 2022 to ensure the successful achievement of our restoration, flood, and erosion reduction goals.
While the need for this project was always clear, the path to funding was not. A few months ago, it was at the bottom of the funding list in Ecology's budget and excluded from both the Governor's and Senate's proposed capital budget. However, thanks to the overwhelming local support from Representative Peter Abbarno, the Clark County Council, Bo Storedahl, the Clark Skamania Flyfishers, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s natural resource staff, Columbia Land Trust, Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and many others, we were able to secure the necessary funds.
“I greatly appreciate the legislature’s Floodplains by Design investment in Southwest Washington. The East Fork Lewis Floodplain Reclamation Project will restore the river’s path through its historic floodplain while also protecting investments made by homeowners, businesses, and taxpayers, and enhancing prime salmon and steelhead habitat. The East Fork is a gem and future generations will be grateful for the investments we are making today.” -Clark County Councilor Sue Marshall
This funding marks the culmination of decades of work by numerous individuals and organizations who share our vision of restoring the East Fork Lewis River. We are honored to be a part of this effort.