In September 2021, Mid Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group (MCFEG) was awarded funds from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board to support water quality improvements along Cowiche Creek. The improvements include removing 720' of existing berm, regrading, and planting of over 3000 riparian plants and other native vegetation along with some engineered streambed structures. The Cowiche Canyon Trail project contains similar work that is required for wetland impacts caused by the project, and the MCFEG project extends the benefits further along the creek providing for improved fish habitat, wetland areas, a more natural experience for users of the trail. The City desires to allow access to MCFEG to provide support for construction, planting, maintenance and monitoring of floodplain, riparian and wetland restoration sites on City property.
As with most mitigation efforts, MCFEG will maintain the site for up to 10 years to allow for successful establishment of the plantings. This is the same requirement that the City has for the trail project.
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