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As spring starts to arrive in the Chehalis Basin, it brings longer days, renewed energy, and continued momentum for the work underway across our communities. This newsletter provides updates on a flood recovery workshop in January, highlights an Aquatic Species Restoration Program project, and extends thanks to Vickie Raines for her contributions to the Chehalis Basin Board over the past years! Thank you for staying connected — your interest and engagement help keep this work grounded in the people and places of the Basin.
 OCB staff, emergency managers, and public works directors gathered around tables in a meeting room to discuss response to flood events.
In January, Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB) staff convened emergency managers and public works directors from across the Basin to explore how OCB can better support communities during and immediately after flood events. Historically, OCB has funded local projects like pump stations and riverbank stabilization that protect homes and businesses from potential flood damage but has not had much role in responding to floods as they happen.
Participants in the workshop reflected on recent flooding, highlighting successes, challenges, and areas for improvement. The group also identified potential ways to strengthen collaboration between jurisdictions and with OCB to accelerate response and recovery during future floods. OCB staff are now reviewing ideas shared during the workshop and will work with the Chehalis Basin Board and the local and Tribal jurisdictions to further reduce risks posted by flooding in the Basin.
Visit your local emergency management website (Grays Harbor County, Lewis County, or Thurston County) to sign up for alerts and learn how to prepare for flooding.
Since 2016, the Washington State Legislature has invested more than $83 million to develop, design, and implement projects that benefit aquatic life in the Basin through the Aquatic Species Restoration Program (ASRP). In 2025, the ASRP implemented habitat restoration projects across the Chehalis Basin to support healthy fish and aquatic ecosystems. Working with local partners and landowners, the program is restoring floodplains and wetlands, improving fish passage, planting native vegetation, and using nature-based solutions to help rivers process sediment and slow flows.
One project in 2025 was at River Mile 8-9 on Schafer Creek in Grays Harbor County. Grays Harbor Conservation District worked on restoring natural stream processes to improve water quality, water quantity, and habitat for salmon and other aquatic species through the installation of 140 “Post Assisted Log Structures (PALS)” which created 142 pools for aquatic species. PALS are made from brush bundles and large woody material anchored in place by driven wooden posts. Implementing these structures in Schafer Creek sets the creek on a trajectory to maintain natural processes on its own.
While unassuming, these structures play an important role for fish habitat by reconnecting a creek with its floodplain, which increases the quality and quantity of refuge and rearing habitat (i.e., pools) for juvenile salmon. Also, PALS are simple to design and install, meaning they can be built quickly and cheaply, allowing ASRP funds go further and help salmon faster. By restoring these natural connections, the project helps strengthen the resilience of Schafer Creek’s ecosystem and supports healthier fish populations throughout the Chehalis Basin.
To learn more about what ASRP did in 2025 and how the ASRP connects to the Long-Term Chehalis Basin Strategy, see the ASRP 2025 Progress Report.
The Office of Chehalis Basin extends its sincerest thanks to Grays Harbor County Commissioner Vickie Raines for her years of dedicated public service, including her leadership as chair of the Chehalis Basin Board and Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority. Raines is stepping down from the Board but will remain a voting member of the Flood Authority. Her contributions over the past nine years helped guide important conversations and decisions focused on protecting communities, supporting local economies, and advancing on-the-ground solutions across the Chehalis Basin, including the Aberdeen-Hoquiam North Shore Levee, the Chehalis River Haul Road bank stabilization project, Montesano Wastewater Treatment Plant protection, and many others. We are grateful for her thoughtful leadership, steady presence, and dedication to the lower Basin and the Flood Authority, and we wish her all the best in this next chapter!
As Vickie steps down, we will be welcoming a new member of the Chehalis Basin Board to fill her shoes. The Chehalis Basin Board always has two voting members appointed by the Governor, one member each representing the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and Quinault Indian Nation, and three representing the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority. Vickie’s departure ushers a new Flood Authority member voice into the mix, and her replacement will be determined in the coming months.
Chehalis Basin Board Meeting | March 5, 9 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Fairfield Inn & Suits by Marriott, 5223 197th SE, Rochester, WA 98593
Once a month, the Chehalis Basin Board meets to discuss funding, evaluate priorities, and put flood and habitat projects in place that support the Chehalis Basin Strategy. Listen in to find out more. Access more information on the agenda and how to join the meeting virtually or in-person on the Chehalis Basin Board website.
Lower Satsop Stewardship | March 7
Join the Grays Harbor Stream Team for a native planting and invasive plant removal at the WDFW Satsop Ponds, near Elma. Contact the Stream Team to get more information at streamteam@graysharborcd.org.
Author Talk: Lynda V. Mapes and The Trees are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forest | March 12, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
TAC 122, Centralia College, Centralia, WA
In “Trees are Speaking”, Mapes connects the present and future of Pacific Northwest forests to the hard-logged legacy forests of the northeastern United States. With vibrant storytelling supported by science and traditional ecological knowledge, Mapes invites us to understand the world where trees are kin, not commodities.
Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) Supervisor Meeting | March 17, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Commissioner’s Hearing Room, 351 NW North St., Chehalis, WA 98532
The Chehalis River Basin FCZD works to make the basin a safer place for communities impacted by flooding. The district’s goals are to reduce the risk associated with flooding and reserve life; prevent damage to property; and protect, preserve, and conserve natural resources. See the FCZD website to learn more about the FCZD and how to attend the Supervisor Meeting.
Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority Meeting | March 19
The Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority meets on the third Thursday, every other month. An online option is provided for the meeting to enable participants to follow along with meeting materials. Stay up to date on timing of meetings and how to join by visiting their website.
Student GREEN Congress | March 19
Evergreen State College, specific location and time to be determined
Each year, South Sound GREEN, the Nisqually River Education Project, and the Chehalis Basin Education Consortium invite hundreds of student delegates from the thousands of students participating in the program to attend the Student GREEN Congress in March at the Evergreen State College. Congress is an opportunity for these student delegates to represent their class and present their water quality data, compare notes with other students and come up with their own recommendations to improve conditions in the watershed together. More details on the location and time of the event will be updated on the South Sound GREEN website.
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