Clark County officially owns the Ridgefield Pits, a former gravel-mine site central to a $20 million habitat restoration project on the East Fork Lewis River.
After nearly five years of negotiations with owner Cemex International, the purchase was finalized July 27.
“The Ridgefield Pits is a vital component of Clark County’s vision for a greenway trail along the East Fork Lewis River,” Denielle Cowley, Clark County Public Works lands coordinator, said in a statement Tuesday.
The nearly 125-acre parcel cost $625,000.
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, which is leading the $20 million restoration project, received:
Other project partners include Columbia Land Trust, the Washington Department of Ecology, Friends of the East Fork Lewis River and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
The project will focus on nine abandoned pit mines about 4 miles upstream from La Center. Flooding in the area over the last two decades has created warm-water ponds, blocked access to the upper portion of the watershed and decimated spawning opportunities. To restore the river habitat, the mine pits will be filled using on-site materials, and about 300 acres of floodplain will be regraded.
The project, the largest of its kind for the East Fork Lewis River, will restore critical habitat for salmon and steelhead.
The river also provides habitat for Pacific lamprey, freshwater mussels, numerous species of waterfowl, and other native aquatic and terrestrial species. The restoration project will also reduce erosion and flood risks for the homes and businesses along the river between the Ridgefield Pits and Lower Daybreak Park, on Northeast 82nd Avenue just outside Battle Ground city limits.
Elaine Placido, executive director for Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, said the land purchase will make the project a reality.
“We commend Clark County leaders for their vision of a restored river that supports robust salmon and steelhead runs while reducing flood and erosion risks to homes and businesses,” Placido said in the statement.
According to Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, spokeswoman for Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, construction is expected to begin in 2025 and take two to three years. Revegetation work will continue for several years afterward.
“There are a few bigger things just around the corner for the project. Next week, we are releasing the (Request for Qualifications) to begin the process of selecting the construction company for this project,” Zimmer-Stucky said Tuesday.
The Clark County Council will hold a work session on the project at 9 a.m. Aug. 7.
More information on the project is available at www.estuarypartnership.org.
