Lewis River Lowlands

Category Overview

Urban Wildlife Habitat projects fund close-to-home places to play and explore nature. As our urban areas are increasingly expanding and densifying, these grants protect important fish and wildlife habitat within five miles of densely populated areas, creating green refuges that help keep our ecosystems healthy and provide places to enjoy nature right in our backyards.

Project Highlights

This project is for the acquisition and/or Conservation Easement of 756 acres of high-priority shorelines, emergent, scrub/shrub, and forested wetlands, and associated upland forests on the East Fork of the Lewis River near the city of La Center. Project site supports a variety of TES and priority species including Bald Eagle, Osprey, Dusky Canada Geese, and other migratory waterfowl. The East Fork Lewis supports runs of Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Summer and Winter Steelhead. WDFW identifies the site as high-quality Riparian Protection. The WA state salmon and steelhead stock inventory lists East Fork Lewis winter steelhead and coho as depressed stocks; the project site provides riparian and off-channel rearing habitat for both salmon and steelhead.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Clark County Parks Dept Category: Urban Wildlife Habitat WWRP Grant: $1,008,333.00 Applicant Match: $1,552,111.83 Project Type: Acquisition County: Clark Legislative District: 20 Status: Closed Completed RCO Project # 96-1143

Location Details

Take LaCenter/NW 319th Street Exit from I-5. Drive east on NW 319th Street approximately 2 miles to LaCenter Bridge where it crosses the East Fork of the Lewis River. The project site begins at the bridge and extends approximately 3 miles upstream on the south side of the river. The project covers the shoreline, bottom lands, and adjoining hillside.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.