Bureau of Reclamation Grant: Entiat Subbasin Fish Habitat Restoration for Endangered Species

Cascadia Conservation District (CCD) is serving as a Project Sponsor to the Bureau of Reclamation to identify, secure funding for, and assist the implementation of prioritized projects developed to meet the objectives for habitat improvement in the Columbia and Snake River basins. The two projects with ARRA funding under this cooperative agreement are the Preston Reach Habitat Complexity Project on the Entiat River and the Entiat River Off-Stream Wells Implementation Project.

The Objective of these projects are to restore passage for fish and address adverse affects associated with on-going in-river maintenance and operational activities associated with the diversion projects. Financial assistance for this project will carry out the public purpose of: improved access to spawning and rearing habitat; improved habitat quantity and quality for native endangered fish species including Spring Chinook salmon, Steelhead Trout, and Bull Trout; and improved fish passage; improved wildlife habitat; and improve public use of the rivers.

Due to the complexity of the issues and the geographic location a great amount of activity must be coordinated involving State and local government units, private landowners, non-profit organizations, in addition to various Federal Agencies; including Reclamation, before a project is finalized. Coordination with local organizations and private landowners is essential to the overall success of habitat improvement in the Entiat Subbasin.