Environmental Review
In-depth environmental studies help to inform the public and decision-makers.
State and Federal Environmental Review Processes
The Washington Department of Ecology and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are working on two separate Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). An EIS is a document that describes the project's potential impacts to aspects of the environment. Some topics considered in the EIS are: aquatic and terrestrial resources, water quality, air quality, noise, cultural resources, environmental justice, transportation, land use, and recreation geology. Both of these documents also address climate change. These agencies have published their draft EISs and held a public comment period in spring 2020. Stay tuned for opportunities to see the final EISs, which are expected in 2022.
State Review Requirements SEPA EIS
prepared by: WA Dept. of Ecology
Federal Review Requirements NEPA EIS
prepared by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Analysis and Supporting Documents
prepared by: Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District
The Chehalis Basin Board is expected to use the findings from these EISs to inform their recommendations for the long-term Chehalis Basin Strategy. The District will avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts wherever possible. This includes strategies to ensure no net loss of habitat function in the Basin. These measures will be finalized during the final project design and permitting processes.
See all environmental records in our Resource Library.
Environmental Submittals Document library
- Transmittal Letter
- Vegetation Management Plan (Updated)
- Conceptual Level Recreation Improvement Options
- Additional Information – Environmental Justice
- Quarry Operations
- Access Roads Updated and Best Management Practices
- Temporary Construction Facilities
- Information from FCZD Related to SEPA Final EIS, Fish Passage Design – Response to Requested Information
- Updated Biological Assessment (due to file size restrictions this document is available upon request)
- Table of Substantive Changes from Draft Biological Assessment
- Water Temperature Model Sensitivity Analysis
Provides technical information for:
- Temporary Construction Fish Passage
- Vegetation Planting Plan
- Quarry Operations
- Access Roads
- Temporary Construction Facilities
- Sediment Transport and Geomorphology Review of SEPA and NEPA Documents
- Power Supply
- Airport Levee Wetland Avoidance
- Commitment to No Net Loss of Aquatic Habitat Function
- Large Woody Material Passage and Placement Clarification
- FRE Site Selection
Provides technical information for:
- Aquatic Habitat Mitigation Capacity and Species Benefit
- Slope Stabilization Mitigation
- Avoidance and Minimization of Rainbow Falls/Fisk Falls Lamprey Fishery Impacts and Related Cultural Effects
- Alternative Quarry Site Selection
- Operations Under Climate Change Conditions
- District’s Committed AMM Measures Catalog (MS Excel Database)
- Letter regarding Land Transfer Use and Jusridiction
- Short Term Aquatic Species Benefits
- Existing All Species Fish Passage Facilities Research
Supporting documents for project impact avoidance minimization and mitigation:
How would the project affect fish and other aquatic species?
Studies show that the District’s flood protection project can be built with no net loss of habitat function for fish and other aquatic species. “No net loss” means maintaining the same level of habitat function that exists in the basin today.
The District has pledged to make no net loss a condition of construction. The District will meet this goal by offsetting any potential impacts to aquatic species habitat through mitigation projects. These mitigation projects will achieve the same level of habitat function that exists today.
Federal and state agencies will review the District’s mitigation plan. If approved, this means that all other habitat restoration work under the larger Chehalis Basin Strategy will have a net positive benefit for fish and other aquatic species in the basin.
Beyond the District’s proposed “no net loss” strategies, what other habitat restoration projects are happening in the basin?
The state has invested millions of dollars in local projects throughout the basin to reduce flood damage and restore habitat for salmon and other aquatic species.
These projects include:
- Protecting infrastructure like roads, wastewater treatment plants, and drinking water sources.
- Establishing evacuation routes and early flood warning systems.
- Installing raised farm pads to safeguard livestock and equipment
- Improving fish passage barriers to open more than 100 miles of habitat for fish.
- Collaborating with landowners to relocate vulnerable structures and restore natural floodplain functions.
Learn more and see an interactive map of local projects.