Over the last century, state, federal and local efforts to combat chronic and devastating flooding in the Chehalis River Basin have failed. There was lots of fighting and not much agreement. There have been many studies and not enough action. The same is true of efforts to restore a declining fishery.
That’s no longer the case. Instead, leaders from throughout the basin have pushed forward in inspiring fashion toward relief from both flood damage and a decline in aquatic species, most notably salmon.
One year ago, this progress hardly seemed possible. A headline in The Chronicle noted that Gov. Jay Inslee had asked the Office of the Chehalis Basin to pause work on a potential water retention structure on the Chehalis River in order to examine possible alternatives.
But last week, the dam took a step forward. We believe it provides the greatest possible deterrent in the basin’s battle against rising water and the carnage it brings too often to residents along the second largest river basin in the state.
Last month, the Office of the Chehalis Basin agreed unanimously to advance a $70 million budget that focuses evenly on fish recovery and flood reduction. The funding includes the completion of the intense federal and state environmental impact statements being finalized by the agencies. Also moving forward is funding for local flood projects that have benefited every community in the Chehalis Basin. Funding for efforts aimed at buoying struggling fish runs is another key part of the package.
Flooding and aquatic species loss have something in common: both are predicted to become dramatically worse in the years ahead with the continued onset of climate change. The best science shows that action on both the fish and flood fronts are needed now.
The Quinault and Chehalis tribes have expressed real concerns about potential impacts of the flood facility to fish runs. We understand and respect their concerns and we’re grateful the tribes have been willing to move the process forward by agreeing to the budget.
We often call it a “dam” but this proposed structure is unlike almost anything that has ever been built. It would hold back water only when major flooding is in the forecast and would otherwise allow the river to run free with open fish passage.
“Any fish impact that may be caused by the dam will be offset by mitigation projects that will have the same kind of function of what exists now,” Project Manager Betsy Dillin said.
If that pledge is affirmed by resource agencies it will mean that there really is a powerful win-win: a win for families and communities seeking flood protection and a win for the vital salmon fishery.
After years of too many studies and not enough action, we’re thankful to local leaders who have reversed the current and have us headed in the right direction.
