Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Plan

Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Plan

Washington Coast Salmon Recovery Region

All of Washington’s watersheds which drain directly into the Pacific Ocean between Cape

Flattery in the north and Cape Disappointment in the south, together with

their inland, estuarine and nearshore environments, lying within all or parts of Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Cowlitz,

Mason, Lewis and Thurston Counties.

SOL DUC/HOH

QUEETS – QUINAULT

LOWER CHEHALIS

UPPER CHEHALIS

WILLAPA

All watersheds in the Washington Coast Region contain healthy, diverse and self-sustaining

populations of salmonids, maintained by healthy habitats and ecosystems, which also support the ecological, cultural, social, and economic needs of human communities.

Vision

• Avoid additional ESA listings and further diminished populations in the Washington Coast Region through sustainability instead of ESA recovery planning

Goals

• All the region’s salmon habitats and offshore waters are in a condition that will sustain healthy salmonid populations

• Regional land use decisions are benign in regards to salmon habitat and/or any damage from those decisions is effectively mitigated

• Regional hatchery practices will not impair wild fish populations and, where appropriate, will help to protect them

• Harvest of salmon – both commercial and recreational – will help support vibrant economies without negatively impacting the sustainability of salmonid populations.

Wherever the term “salmon” is used in the Plan, it is meant to include fish present of the genus Oncorhynchus (salmon, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat) and bull trout, the fish of concern in this Washington Coast Salmon Recovery Region.

• Chinook – Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

• Chum – Oncorhynchus keta

• Coho – Oncorhynchus kisutch

• Sockeye – Oncorhynchus nerka

• Steelhead – Oncorhynchus mykiss

• Coastal Cutthroat Trout – Oncorhynchus clarki clarki

• Bull Trout – Salvelinus confluentus

Lakes

Headwaters/Uplands

Nearshore

Estuaries

Tributaries

MainstemsOcean

Wetlands, Small Lakes and Ponds

Coast Region Habitats

• Headwaters/Uplands

• Wetlands, Small Lakes and Ponds

• Tributaries

• Lakes

• Mainstems

• Estuaries

• Nearshore

• Ocean

Salmon Habitat Salmon Life Stages

Key Species

“Nested” Species and Life Stages

Wetlands- Off ChannelSpawning/Rearing COHO, CutthroatJuvenile Rearing/Foraging COHO, Cutthroat Juvenile Refugia/Holding COHO, CutthroatAdult Migration/Staging COHO, Cutthroat

TributariesSpawning/Incubation CHUM, COHO, SOCKEYE, Chinook,

Steelhead, Bull Trout, Cutthroat Juvenile Rearing/Foraging COHO, STEELHEAD, Bull Trout, Cutthroat Juvenile Outmigration CHUM, COHO, SOCKEYE, Chinook,

Steelhead, Bull Trout, CutthroatAdult Migration CHUM, COHO, SOCKEYE, Chinook,

EstuariesJuvenile Rearing/Foraging CHUM, CHINOOK, COHOJuvenile Outmigration CHUM, CHINOOK, COHO, Steelhead,

Sockeye, Bull Trout, CutthroatAdult Foraging Bull Trout, CutthroatAdult Migration/Staging CHUM, Coho, Chinook, Steelhead,

Cutthroat

What is critical for salmon viability or health?

TributariesSpawning & Incubation

Water Quality, Riparian Condition, LWD,Floodplain Connectivity, Sediment Needs,Water Quantity

What is critical for salmon viability or health?

TributariesSpawning & Incubation

Water Quality, Riparian Condition, LWD, Floodplain Connectivity, Sediment Needs,Water Quantity

Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity

Tributaries Conditions Objectives

WATER QUALITY Spawning Core Summer Habitat Rearing & MigrationTemperature Exceeds 13° C less than 7

days per yearExceeds 16° C less than 7 days per year

Exceeds 17.5° C less than 7 days per year

Dissolved Oxygen Below 8.0 mg/L less than 7 days per year (includes

rearing and migration)

Below 9.5 mg/L less than 7 days per year

Below 6.5 mg/L less than 7 days per year

(rearing only)Turbidity Does not exceed 5 NTUs over BC when BC is ≤50 NTUs, or does not exceed a

10% increase over BC when BC is >50 NTUsRIPARIAN CONDITION All Life History Stages

Buffer Widths 100’ – 215’ or moreRiparian Condition and Composition

Known refugia 80-90% intact; 50-75% riparian vegetation similar to potential natural community/composition

LARGE WOODY MATERIAL LWM recruitment is frequent in majority of watershedFLOODPLAIN/CONNECTIVITY Juvenile Rearing, Spawning/IncubationAQUATIC TYPES & CONDITIONS Present off-channel habitat areas are accessible at least during the winter and

spring flows. Riparian and floodplain areas are generally well connected to upstream and downstream areas.

FORAGE ABUNDANCE Juvenile Rearing/ForagingMacro-Invertebrates Multimetric IBI score: 30-40Marine Derived Nutrients Consistently meeting escapement goals (juvenile rearing/foraging)

Tributaries Conditions Objectives (continued)

ABUNDANCE Adult MigrationRun Size Meets escapement goals

WATER QUANTITY Spawning/Incubation, Juvenile Rearing/ForagingHydrology Hydrologic regime has minimal changes from undisturbed conditions. One

element may have been modified. Effect is felt primarily in a portion of the basin rather than throughout the watershed.

POOL FREQUENCY Juvenile Rearing/Foraging, Juvenile Outmigration Pools with sufficient depth and surface cover frequent throughout watershed.SEDIMENT NEEDS Spawning and Incubation

Fines & Embeddedness combined 12% - 14%

Gravel Dominant substrate is gravel or cobble

Critical Threats to Salmon Sustainabilityin the Coast Region

• Climate Change

• Invasive Species

• Harvest and Hatchery Interactions

• Logging Practices that Impact Salmon

• Oil Spills

• Residential and Commercial Development that Impacts Salmon

Critical Threats to Salmon Sustainabilityin the Coast Region

• Dredging/Filling

• Removal and/or Lack of Large Woody Material

• Shoreline Modification Including Dikes, Levees, Armoring, Bulkheads

• Agricultural Practices that Impact Salmon

• Roads, Culverts, Bridges, and Other Transportation Infrastructure

• Water Pollution from Developed Land, Stormwater and Wastewater Pollution

Negative contributing factorsWhich are the most relevant factors (specific practices, stakeholders, incentives and motivations) contributing to critical threats?

Positive contributing factorsAre there any relevant opportunities (specific practices, stakeholders, incentive and motivations) which contribute to a solution?

Key intervention points for ALLWhich are the key intervention points where we should focus our attention on to contribute to a significant change in the overall situation?

Information gaps and research needsAre there any important areas of uncertainty in our diagram?

Proposed strategiesWhich are the general lines of action (broad based course of action or high-level strategic themes) we think will significantly contribute to Salmonid Restoration in the Washington Coast Region?

Salmon Habitats

affectCriticalDirect

Threatsaffect

Contributing Factors

Indirect Threats

Opportunities

Stakeholders

Proposed Strategies

affect

CLIMATE CHANGE

is addressed in these Strategies:

• A1. Create a WCSSP outreach & education program that builds salmon awareness and community action;

• A2. Communicate climate change tools, research, and information to public officials and local communities;

• B1. Use habitat protection tools & techniques to maintain or restore in-channel salmon habitat that is key in light of climate change;

• B5. Encourage the implementation of water quantity planning efforts;• E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not

negatively affect salmon habitats.

INVASIVE SPECIES

are addressed in these strategies:


• A3. Work to inform officials, landowners, industry, business, agencies, and the public about invasive species;

• B2. Coordinate a region-wide invasive species workgroup and serve as a hub for regional invasive species information;

• E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not negatively affect salmon habitats.

HATCHERY AND HARVEST INTERACTIONS

and are addressed in these strategies:


• C1. Create opportunities that lead to a better understanding of hatchery, harvest, and wild fish policies;

• C2. Develop partnerships for hatchery reform• D3. Promote coastal wild salmon as a premium market product;• E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not


TIMBER PRACTICES THAT IMPACT SALMON



• B1. Use habitat protection tools & techniques to maintain or restore in-channel salmon habitat that is key in light of climate change;

• B3. Restore buffer and instream channel function by retaining large trees in riparian zones and landscaping with native plants;

• B4. Correct existing fish barriers;• E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not

negatively affect salmon habitats;• E4. Work with agencies to strengthen the Forest Practices Act permitting and

monitoring process.

OIL SPILLSare addressed in these strategies:


• D4. Advocate for a barrel transport fee to fund oil spill response capacity;• E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not


RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT IMPACTS SALMON



• A4. Inform public officials and increase public outreach on environmental values to make shoreline modification more salmon-friendly;

• D1. Value ecosystem services; • D2. Support incentives for keeping agriculture, timber, and residential land use; • D5. Explore environmental markets, offset & compensation programs, conservation

futures tax, and mitigation funding; • E2. Support land use and water resource plans / regulations that do not negatively

affect salmon habitats.

DREDGING AND FILLING

and are addressed in these strategies:


• B6. Reduce dredging and filling of estuaries, rivers and wetlands; • D1. Value ecosystem services; • E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not


REMOVAL AND/OR LACK OF LARGE WOODY MATERIALis addressed in these strategies:



• E2. Support land use and water resource plans / regulations that do not negatively affect salmon habitats;

• E3. Work with agencies to create effective regulations and policies that restore large wood in streams and on riparian buffers;

• E4. Work with agencies to strengthen the Forest Practices Act permitting and monitoring process.

SHORELINE MODIFICATIONis addressed in these strategies:


• A4. Inform public officials and increase public outreach on environmental values to make shoreline modification more salmon-friendly;


• E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not negatively affect salmon habitats;

• E3. Work with agencies to create effective regulations and policies that restore large wood in streams and on riparian buffers.

AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES THAT IMPACT SALMON



• A5. Reach out to public officials, landowners and others about the value of preserving marginal land;

• D2. Support incentives for keeping agriculture, timber, and residential land use; • D5. Explore environmental markets, offset & compensation programs, conservation

futures tax, and mitigation funding; • E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not negatively


NOTE: need additional strategy to support voluntary, incentive based conservation actions (i.e., conservation districts and new VSP)

ROADS, CULVERTS, & BRIDGESAND OTHER TRANSPORTION INFRASTRUCTURE



• B4. Correct existing fish barriers; • E2. Support land use and water resource plans and regulations that do not

negatively affect salmon habitats; • E5. Work with agencies to change funding procedures for road and

transportation improvements to benefit salmon.

WATER POLLUTION FROM DEVELOPED LAND

is addressed in these strategies:



• E1. Improve the effectiveness of enforcement; • E2. Support land use and water resource plans / regulations that do not negatively


26 Specific Strategies Consolidated Into Five Categories

A. Educate the Community to Protect, Restore and Maintain Ecosystem Values

B. Restore and Protect Salmonid Habitat Function

C. Support Hatchery Reform and Harvest Practices that areCompatible with Wild Salmon Sustainability

D. Use Economic Tools to Protect, Restore and Maintain Ecosystem Values

E. Improve Regulatory Effectiveness to Achieve SalmonSustainability by Identifying Conflicts, Impedimentsand Gaps in Current Regulations

Overarching Partnership Strategy

ORGANIZE, PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN BROAD PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT WILD SALMON

SUSTAINABILITY

Strategy A1: Create a WCSSP Outreach and Education Program that Builds Salmon Awareness and Community Action

Strategy A2: Communicate Climate Change Tools, Research, and Information to Public Officials and Local Communities

Strategy A3: Work to Inform Officials, Landowners, Industry, Business, Agencies, and the Public about Invasive Species

Strategy A4: Inform Public Officials and Increase Public Outreach on Environmental Values to Make Shoreline Modification more Salmon-Friendly

Strategy A5: Reach Out to Public Officials, Landowners and Others about the Value of Preserving Marginal Land

Strategy A6: Educate Local Elected Officials and Residents about Stormwater and Wastewater Pollution

Educate the Community to Protect, Restore and Maintain Ecosystem Values

Action A1.1: Create a WCSSP communication and outreach program based on current research into the most effective outreach methods as well as the experiences of those who’ve been doing outreach in the Coast Region

a. Collect the most recent and credible research on effective outreach, communication and education methods.b. Convene and staff a committee of experts within the Coast Region tasked with creating a WCSSP Communication and

Outreach Program to propose to the WCSSP Board of Directors.Action A1.2: Develop school-based curricula and youth-oriented programs for salmon sustainability

c. Work with teachers, parents, school boards and others to design and provide resources for in-school and after-school salmon education and involvement programs where such programs or activities don’t already exist.

d. Find long-term funding sources for school-based salmon activities.e. Engage young people in “citizen science” (see Glossary) projects that build active involvement in salmon sustainability.f. Support local organizations and events such as the Marine Resource Committees (MRCs), the Chehalis Basin

Partnership’s Chehalis Watershed Festival, and the Ocean Shores Interpretive Center in their work with young people, and encourage other localities to create similar organizations and activities.

Action A1.3: Use the most effective means to build community and official awareness of salmon sustainability issues and needsg. Create and/or support campaigns that explain how many small, individual actions can make a difference in sustaining

salmon in local communities.h. Make our messages relevant to people by tailoring them to specific audiences, working with people to identify

sustainability issues and solutions within their own watersheds.i. Develop a Communication and Outreach Program component focused on informing the public about fish barrier

removal.j. Work to correct misconceptions about salmon and salmon habitat, such as “all hatcheries are bad for salmon,” “now

and in the future, hatcheries are the only way to supplement salmon populations,” “salmon need deep water only,” “beaver dams block salmon movement,” and “we have to clear large wood out of streams for the salmon.”

k. Based on the best available science of outreach effectiveness, use the appropriate variety of tools to get key messages across, including established means like newspaper articles and signage at recreational sites, and newer tools like videos, website content and social networking presence.

l. Cultivate opportunities for WCSSP to “be at the table” where official decisions related to communication and outreach about salmon are made.

Strategy B1: Use Habitat Protection Tools & Techniques to Maintain or Restore In-channel

Salmon Habitat That is Key in Light of Climate Change

Strategy B2: Coordinate a Region-Wide Invasive Species Workgroup and Serve as a Hub for Regional Invasive Species Information

Strategy B3: Restore Buffer and In-stream Channel Function by Retaining Large Trees in Riparian Zones and Landscaping with Native Plants

Strategy B4: Correct Existing Fish Barriers

Strategy B5: Encourage the Implementation of Water Quantity

Planning Efforts

Strategy B6: Reduce Dredging and Filling of Estuaries, Rivers, and Wetlands

Restore and Protect Salmonid Habitat Function

Strategy C1: Create Opportunities that Lead to a Better Understanding of Hatchery, Harvest,

and Wild Fish Policies

Strategy C2: Develop Partnerships for Hatchery Reform

Support Hatchery and Harvest Practicesthat are Compatible with Wild Salmon

Sustainability

Use Economic Tools to Protect, Restore and Maintain Ecosystem Values

Strategy D1: Value Ecosystem Services

Strategy D2: Support Incentives for Keeping Agriculture, Timber, and Residential Land Use

Strategy D3: Promote Coastal Wild Salmon as a Premium Market Product

Strategy D4: Advocate for a Barrel Transport Fee to Fund Oil Spill Response Capacity

Strategy D5: Explore Environmental Markets, Offset & Compensation Programs, Conservation Futures Tax, and Mitigation Funding

Improve Regulatory Effectiveness to Achieve Salmon Sustainability by Identifying Conflicts, Impediments and

Gaps in Current Regulations

Strategy E1: Improve the Effectiveness of Enforcement

Strategy E2: Support Water Resource Plans and Regulations that Do Not Negatively Affect Salmon Habitats

Strategy E3: Work with Agencies to Create Effective Regulations and Policies that Restore Large Wood (LWD) In Streams and on Riparian Buffers

Strategy E4: Work with Agencies to Strengthen the Forest Practices Act Permitting and Monitoring Process

Strategy E5: Work with Agencies to Change Funding Procedures for Road and Transportation Improvements to Benefit Salmon

Action E2.1: Develop an improved understanding of water resources and rightsa. Support a study of the impact of regional water usage and rights on salmon habitat. If such a study exists, publicize it

and the impacts of water usage patterns on salmon habitat.b. Assess what actual water consumption is in the Region, for municipalities, agricultural and otherwise. c. Encourage the development of models showing appropriate water budgets for salmon given the hydrology of basins in

the Region. d. Encourage the legislature to develop means for funding water resources programs in the Washington Department of

Ecology.e. Identify potential regional partners for funding and monitoring water gauges in streams.

Action E2.2: Improve stream-typing (fish presence) databases for the Regionf. Work to get all streams properly identified, typed and mapped for fish presense; encourage on-the-ground stream-

typing.g. Use hydrologic modeling and tools such as LiDAR to aid in identifying potential salmon streams, while relying on

ground-truthing to sample and test their validity. h. Support the expansion of the work of organizations such as the Wild Fish Conservancy that do valid and well-accepted

ground-truthing. i. Encourage the use of improved stream-typing databases as best available science in local development regulations.

Action E2.3: Support Shoreline Master Programs (SMP), land use plans, and development regulations that protect water resources critical to salmon habitat

j. Get involved with and support counties in evaluations of their Shoreline Master Programs (“SMP”), land use plans, and development regulations for effectiveness in protecting shoreline and water resources critical to salmon habitat.

k. Identify gaps in plans and regulations that fail to protect shoreline or water resources critical to salmon habitat, and support work to amend as appropriate.

l. Evaluate development trends in each county to determine if salmon-friendly plans and development regulations are in place and implemented.

m. Collaborate with local jurisdictions to evaluate local consistency with the model FEMA ordinance to ensure compliance with National Flood Insurance Program guidelines while protecting fish habitat.

Strategy E2: Support Water Resource Plans and Regulations that Do Not Negatively Affect Salmon Habitats

Regional Salmon PlanTHANK YOU

Documents

Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Plan