WDFW West Foster Creek Riparian Restoration

Category Overview

The State Lands Restoration and Enhancement category provides funding to two state agencies to help repair damaged plant and animal habitat. These grants focus on resource preservation and protection of public lands. Projects in this category help bring important natural areas and resources back to their original functions by improving the self sustaining and ecological functionality of sites.

Project Highlights

The Department of Fish and Wildlife will use this grant to place structures to mimic beaver dams in west Foster Creek in the Well Wildlife Area to help restore the creek. Beaver dams create ponds in fast-moving water, giving fish a place to rest. They also block and slow the water, keeping it at a stable level, even in drought. This reach of the creek has a deeply carved channel and the mock beaver dams will help reduce the erosion and improve water quality. In addition, the department will remove invasive Russian olive trees and plant native plants along the creekbanks. Planting trees and bushes long a creekbank helps shade the water, cooling it for fish. The plants also drop branches and leaves into the water, which provide food for the insects fish eat. Finally, the roots of the plants help keep soil from entering the water.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Fish & Wildlife Dept of Category: State Lands Restoration & Enhancement WWRP Grant: $119,100.00 Applicant Match: $0.00 Project Type: Restoration County: Douglas Legislative District: 12 Status: Active RCO Project # 20-1638

Location Details

From Bridgeport, travel south on State Highway 17 2.3 miles to it's intersection with County Road Bridgeport Hill Road. Turn south on Bridgeport Hill Road 4.35 miles to the wildlife area entrance. Turning west on to an unimproved two-track road, travel 0.25 miles to the worksite.

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.