Habitat Advisory Group (HAG)

The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) approved Tacoma Power’s Fish Habitat Fund Allocation Plan, which is required by the FERC license. Tacoma Power will spend $3 million to protect, restore and enhance fisheries habitats by acquiring land or easements and with habitat restoration projects. The money has been set aside in the Fish Habitat Fund.

To oversee this work, a Habitat Advisory Group (HAG) was formed with representatives from Tacoma Power, Lewis County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Rivers/Trout Unlimited and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The HAG is responsible for reviewing and approving the eligibility and relative priority of property along the mainstem and tributaries of the Cowlitz River between the Barrier Dam and the confluence of the Toutle River. The plan provides a framework for evaluating sites and ranking the sites.

The initial focus is on the lower Cowlitz River. The first priority is to purchase or obtain conservation easements on eligible properties. In this case, conservation easements are agreements with property owners to maintain the property for habitat purposes and not develop, log or otherwise reduce the habitat. After the purchase of property or conservation easements, the next priority is habitat restoration activities. Other sources for funding and grants can be used to leverage the money provided by Tacoma Power.

Conservation groups and others are encouraged to initiate project proposals and submit them to the HAG. These proposals must meet the criteria and prioritization requirements to be considered. The Fish Habitat Fund may also be used as a source of matching funds for proposed project grants requiring multiple funding sources.

Habitat Advisory Group E-mail: cowlitz@cityoftacoma.org or 253-502-8298.

Meeting Summaries: Habitat Advisory Group (HAG)

Click on a date to view the meeting summary in PDF.

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