Watershed Resources
Developing and implementing projects that improve watershed processes that benefit habitat and water quality.
Aquatic Habitat Restoration Program
Maintaining healthy aquatic populations within our watershed.
Water Quality Program
Protecting our watershed from pollution and harmful runoff.
Streambank Erosion Program
Stabilizing stream banks and providing protection against moving water.
Pacific County Lead Entity
Willapa Bay area residents are committed to maintaining healthy salmon populations while balancing landowner goals and sustaining local economies. The Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) formed locally-based Lead Entities for Salmon Recovery in 1999. Pacific County took on this role for the Willapa Bay watershed. The County contracts with the Pacific Conservation District to coordinate the Willapa Bay Lead Entity. The Lead Entity develops strategies appropriate for the area and responsible for the local review, prioritization and recommendation of salmon recovery project proposals for the annual SRFB grant round.
The Willapa Bay Lead Entity for Salmon Recover – Water Resource Inventory Area 24 covers portions of Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, & Wahkiakum Counties. Focusing on the lower watershed, where restoration benefits five salmon species. The lead entity establishes and prioritizes projects and a diverse, citizen-based evaluation of salmon habitat restoration and protection projects.
The Lead Entity is made up of two committees with distinct roles:
The Citizens Committee – Made up of representatives from counties, tribes, environmental groups, landowners, and more. They are charged with ensuring the projects that are funded fit the recovery strategy and are supported by the local community.
The Technical Advisory Group – An advisory group composed of agency staff and other experts who have local knowledge of salmon recovery needs. They evaluate proposed projects based on their technical merit and alignment with the recovery strategy and provides a score for each project to the Citizen’s Committee.