Public Comments Requested on Proposed Cle Elum River Restoration Project
The Okanogan-National Forest, working in partnership with Yakama Nation Fisheries Program, are seeking public input on a proposed aquatic restoration project on the Cle Elum River immediately downstream of the Cooper River Bridge, located approximately 17 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA. The project is one of several fish habitat improvement projects taking place as part of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan.
Cle Elum Ranger District personnel are requesting public input on the Upper Reach Cle Elum River Restoration Project proposal by June 2, 2025. Comments are most helpful if submitted early and will become part of the public record.
The goal of the project is to increase spawning and rearing habitat for anadromous species above the Cle Elum Dam. The Yakama Nation re-introduced sockeye salmon to the Cle Elum River in 2009. Following the completion of an adult trap and haul facility below the dam, other anadromous and fluvial native species will be re-introduced, including Mid-Columbia steelhead, chinook salmon, coho salmon and bull trout. Increasing spawning and rearing habitat prior to re-introduction of additional species will reduce competition for all species and enable higher survival and growth rates and ultimately long-term success of the re-introduction.
The Upper Cle Elum River Aquatic Restoration project was developed following the guidelines under the Decision Notice for the 2019 Pacific Northwest Region Aquatic Restoration Project. More information on that region six restoration authorization can be found here: https://usfs-public.app.box.com/v/PinyonPublic/folder/158203126437)
Questions and comments can be submitted to this Project inbox here: FS-SharedMailbox-comments-pnw-okanogan-wenatchee@usda.gov/. Please include the project name “Upper Reach Cle Elum River Restoration Project” in the subject line of your email.
A detailed project description and site plans for the Upper Reach Cle Elum River Restoration Project can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/projects/upper-reach-cle-elum-river-restoration-project
Following a decision, project implementation is expected to begin in the summer of 2025. A temporary closure of a Âľ mile section of the river and approximately 9-acres of adjacent floodplain is planned and would restrict public access during the active restoration project between July and October 2025.
