Jefferson County Conservation District used NRI funding to help 15 landowners restore salmon habitat in Chimacum Creek through removal of reed canary grass. The overgrowth of grass choked stream flow and contributed to flooding, pollution, and low oxygen levels. The flooding was impacting valuable farmland. The contaminated runoff was impacting shellfish growing areas, and the low dissolved oxygen was adversely impacting salmon.
In total, 15 separate landowners participated in the grass removal project, which greatly improved streamflow and reduced flooding.
This project also:
Project Priorities moving forward:
Palouse Conservation District’s FLOURISH program is a farmer-led effort advancing soil health and climate resilience across the Inland Northwest.
Generations of farming along Hangman Creek have faced erosion and water quality challenges. Through a partnership between the Spokane and Pine Creek Conservation Districts and the Washington State Department of Ecology, local landowners are restoring natural stream channels, planting native vegetation, and stabilizing creek banks, all while keeping working lands productive. Together, they’re proving that voluntary conservation benefits both farms and fish.
Generations of farming along Hangman Creek have faced erosion and water quality challenges. Through a partnership between the Spokane and Pine Creek Conservation Districts and the Washington State Department of Ecology, local landowners are restoring natural stream channels, planting native vegetation, and stabilizing creek banks, all while keeping working lands productive. Together, they’re proving that voluntary conservation benefits both farms and fish.
