White Salmon River
Experience the Untamed Beauty of the White Salmon River
Discover the rich history and natural splendor of the Upper and Lower White Salmon River. Protected as Wild and Scenic, these waters flow through breathtaking landscapes—offering thrilling rapids, serene forests, and a haven for wildlife.
Upper White Salmon Wild & Scenic River
The Upper White Salmon Wild & Scenic River is crucial for conservation, offering pristine waters and rich ecosystems. However, outdated management and development pressures demand updated plans and stronger protection efforts to preserve its value.
Upper White Salmon River Designation
The Upper White Salmon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was signed into law August 2, 2005 (Public Law 109-44, 109th Congress) designating 20 miles of river segments of the main stem of the White Salmon River and Cascade Creek as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The designated river is within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and is managed by the Trout Lake Ranger District. The district recently began a planning process to produce a management plan for the designated river.
Community Input on River Management Plan
District planners held a listening session at the White Salmon Library on April 28. The planning process was explained and input taken on how the more than 50 participants would like the river to be managed. Forest Service specialists will take this feedback and develop a draft plan. Later this summer they will send out a “scoping” letter to appropriate agencies and participants from the listening session. There will be a period when the Forest Service will take responses to the draft plan and a final plan prepared by the end of the year.
Key Values and Planning Issues for Upper White Salmon River
The Act designating this section of the river identified scenery, geology, and hydrology as outstandingly remarkable values to be protected. The Friends of the White Salmon River (FWSR) feel wildlife habitat, recreation and water quality are important values deserving special protection as well. Issues that need to be addressed in the planning process include:
1. The Wild and Scenic River boundary
The Wild and Scenic Act calls for a boundary averaging one-fourth mile on each side of the river. The managing agency has the authority to vary the boundary to include important values outside of the one-fourth mile line as long as the total acreage does not exceed the total for a boundary of one-fourth mile on each side of the centerline of the river. The FWSR feel there are opportunities to adjust the boundary to include important values outside of the one-fourth mile lines.
2. Woody debris
FWSR believe it is important to retain the existing woody debris in the river and to allow additional natural accumulations for water quality purposes and fisheries habitat.
The Wild and Scenic Act calls for a boundary averaging one-fourth mile on each side of the river. The managing agency has the authority to vary the boundary to include important values outside of the one-fourth mile line as long as the total acreage does not exceed the total for a boundary of one-fourth mile on each side of the centerline of the river. The FWSR feel there are opportunities to adjust the boundary to include important values outside of the one-fourth mile lines.
2. Woody debris.
FWSR believe it is important to retain the existing woody debris in the river and to allow additional natural accumulations for water quality purposes and fisheries habitat.
3. Roads
New road construction should be prohibited within the Wild and Scenic River boundary and existing roads decommissioned, when possible.
4. Vegetative management
Should be limited to proven practices designed to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Emphasis should be to increase habitat for cavity nesting birds and T&E species.
5. Cattle grazing
While this is not a current issue, cattle grazing should be prohibited in the management plan so it does not become an issue in the future. FWSR will post the scoping letter on this web site when it is available and persons interested in the upper river are encouraged send a response to the Forest Service with their views on management of this portion of the White Salmon Wild and Scenic River.
Lower White Salmon Wild & Scenic River
The Lower White Salmon Wild & Scenic River is known for its scenic beauty and ecological importance. However, it faces development pressures and growing recreation, requiring updated management to protect its future.
1. Lower White Salmon Management Plan
The Management Plan for the Lower White Salmon Wild and Scenic River (BZ Corners to the bridge at the old Northwestern Lake) was completed and approved in November 1991. The Plan was developed over a three-year period with intense involvement of federal, state, county, and private landowners. The Plan was crafted to meet the intent of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA). (One can read the specific provisions of Section II here.)
2. Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) of Lower White Salmon
The WSRA requires the Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) for which the river was designated to be protected and enhanced. Five ORVs were identified for the Lower White Salmon WSR: Whitewater Boating, White Salmon River Gorge, Hydrology, Native American Indian Longhouse and Cemetery, and Resident Fish.
3. Coordination with Klickitat County for River Protection
Since the Wild and Scenic River corridor is primarily privately owned, the plan states: “Close coordination with Klickitat County is especially important since county officials are responsible for administering the Shorelines Management Plan and county zoning ordinances, both of which are key elements in assuring the wild and scenic river values are protected.”
4. Legal Win Against County Rezoning
Since Plan development, the County’s main effort has been an attempt to rewrite the zoning laws to allow intense development within the river corridor, the antithesis of the Plan’s intent. Such heavy residential development with accompanying water needs would degrade the ORV, hydrology. The county’s rezone effort was defeated through a lawsuit brought by the Friends of the White Salmon River and the Friends of the Gorge in 2015.
5. Stalled Lands Acquisition
The Plan calls for an aggressive lands acquisition program through trades and purchase between the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), National Forest, and SDS Lumber Company lands. Since an initial failed attempt to develop a comprehensive land trade between the three entities, nothing has been undertaken to accomplish this goal. Moreover, the county has shown no interest in cooperating in the protection of river values.
6. Inconsistent River Monitoring and Management
The Plan called for close monitoring of river resources and development on private lands within the established boundary. Since Plan development, implementation of the detailed Monitoring Plan by the Forest Service has been sporadic. Non consistent development of private lands has occurred with little interest from the county for enforcement. While the Forest Service has shown interest in these non-conforming uses, they lack the tools necessary to meet the intent of the Plan. Management of the river by the Forest Service has mainly concentrated on administration of river recreation uses (rafting and kayaking).
7. Lack of Plan Revision Despite Changing Conditions
While it is clear the Forest Service cannot (or is reluctant to) carry out the full intent of the Plan, there has been no attempt to revise it. The Plan (Section III-4) states “this Plan will ordinarily be revised on a 10-year cycle, or at least every 15 years. It may also be revised when conditions and demands ….have changed significantly, or when the Area Manager determines that changes… would have a significant effect on the ability to implement the plan.” It goes on the state that the reintroduction of anadromous fish would be a trigger to undertake a plan revision.
8. Outdated River Plan Needs Urgent Revision
It has been 25 years since the plan was approved. In this time the Forest Service did a review of outfitter guide permits (2011) because of national direction. The review resulted in no change to the then current outfitter guide number or direction. According to a Forest Service official, river recreation use has increased since the management plan was approved. Even though the plan is 25 years old, and given that anadromous fish have been re-introduced and recreation use is increasing, the Forest Service has no plans for revising the river plan at this time. And, since they will be doing a revision of the National Scenic Area Plan, they can see no opportunity to revise the river management plan in the near future.
To their credit, the Forest Service has been trying to meet with the county to discuss illegal development in the river corridor. So far, the county has showed no interest in meeting with them. Also, the Forest Service has shown interest in working with appropriate fisheries agencies in an effort to address recreation/fisheries conflicts.
The Friends of the White Salmon River continues to support close implementation of the Management Plan including a robust lands acquisition Program. Since the Plan was approved in 1991, significant changes to the river have occurred. Condit Dam was removed in 2011 allowing reintroduction of anadromous fish to the Wild and Scenic River section. This change alone cries out for a fresh look at the administration of the river by the Forest Service.
RESOURCES
For more information, see our Q&A session.
Additional Resources: Rewilding the White Salmon River (The Osprey)