The Twin Harbors Fish & Wildlife Advocacy
Projects
The Advocacy has engaged in numerous projects since the organization was formed. These projects are intended to improve the management and use of public resources to the benefit of the current and future generations that live in or visit the coastal region of Washington state. In addition, the Advocacy participates in litigation and regulatory reviews that can be reviewed on the Legal Issues page.
The South Montesano Boat Ramp Project
In late 2014, the Advocacy was asked by local citizens to help support an effort by WDFW staffer Brandon Troyer who was volunteering to process a request from the Recreation and Conservation Funding board for grant funding to initiate much needed improvements to the boat launch on the Chehalis River adjacent to Mary’s River Lumber. Smaller to medium size fishing boats, canoes, and other watercraft are launched at the site throughout the year. Locals also use the facility for picnics and swimming.
Often, especially during fall salmon seasons, the ramp and parking areas are overloaded. In addition, the concrete ramps suffers from erosion making launching difficult and the other facilities are long overdue for replacement.
The Advocacy endorsed the project and worked in concert with Mr. Troyer to produce pictures, documentation, and petitions of support from citizens and local merchants who cater to visitors to the ramp. Under Brandon’s leadership, the ramp project earned a #2 ranking on the list of approved projects from around the state. Following the 2015 Legislative session, the Recreational and Conservation Funding Board formally announce the project was funded. The project and applications can be viewed here.
A very special thanks to Brandon who invested significant personal time in processing the grant application for the ramp replacement and other improvements at the site.
Example page of the petitions turned in supporting the South Montesano boat ramp project
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Advocacy opposes Grays Harbor Oil Export terminals
The Advocacy has filed its opposition to the crude by rail export terminals proposals for Grays Harbor. The Advocacy members believe the movement of crude oil by trains down the rail line running along the Chehalis River to the Port of Grays Harbor creates an unacceptable risk to fish, wildlife, and the local economy and quality of life for all the citizens of Grays Harbor. Our rationale and reasoning for opposition to the projects is contained in our comments submitted on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) prepared by the proponents of the crude oil export terminals. The Advocacy points out that the DEIS is not only flawed, but considered “laughable” by many of the local citizens. View the Advocacy’s comments here.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Willapa Bay Gillnetters Association has filed a legal challenge to the Willapa Bay Salmon Policy recently adopted by the Commission. The Advocacy has filed a motion to intervene to represent and protect the interests of its members and others within the public who invested all the time and energy into the public process used to develop the new policy. Read all about it on the “Legal Issues” page shown above in the menu bar.
OTHER RECENT PROJECTS
2014 SELECTIVE FISHING (GILLNET) MORTALITY STUDY
Independent Fisheries Science Panel studies "mortality rate" for gillnets When setting fishing seasons, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife uses an Excel spreadsheet model that estimates the number of fish coming that year and subtracts from the estimate the...