COWICHE CREEK HAS STANDING…"The river, for example, is the living symbol of all the life it sustains or nourishes—fish, aquatic insects, water ouzels, otter, fisher, deer, elk, bear, and all other animals, including man, who are dependent on it or who enjoy it for its sight, its sound, or its life. The river as plaintiff speaks for the ecological unit of life that is part of it.”… William O Dougla
s. Lower Cowiche Canyon Creek is critical habitat for endangered species with high priority for restorations and preservation. The unique combination of floodplain and upwelling of aquaferial waters near the confluence with the Naches River creates precious wetlands and side flows, essential habit for native fish, fauna and plants. The influence of this riparian zone extends vastly… …through the Yakima and Columbia river basins to the ocean. LCC-RAPA’s primary mission is to enhance and preserve the ecology of Lower Cowiche Creek. Restoration and protection of the river and the floodplain; including its animals, plants and water, especially endangered salmon spawning grounds; is the primary mission. Through discussion, advocacy and action; stakeholders cooperate to foster optimal human ecology among adjacent landowners, conservationists and recreational users of the river and its floodplain. The Advocacy seeks to promote, monitor and report development activities in the river and its floodplain from the trailhead at Cowiche Canyon Conservancy to the confluence with the Teiton River, where several restoration and trail development efforts are planned and underway. Restoration projects seek to remove the ecologically destructive remnants of the defunct railroad berm, water diversions and flow restraints to release the river and reduce flooding by reconstitution of a normal flow and floodplain, while enhancing the value of properties for adjacent landowners. Proposed trail projects seek to expand the Yakima Greenway to connect with Cowiche Canyon Trail. Native plant restoration projects are key to river restoration, floodplain function and faunal re-establishment. Careful trail placement and native landscaping can provide beauty, privacy and security for trail users and local residents alike while promoting ecological health for crucial spawning grounds. Actions:
• Protect the river and the floodplain
• Promote, monitor and report issues with restoration and development
• Publicize and advocate preservation and restoration activities
• Recruit benefactors and sponsors for protection and ecological development
• Sponsor and promote equal access, education and appreciation of the critical area
• Sponsor and promote long-term scientific studies of the restoration activities
• Assess impact of public-use through scientific monitoring of the complex
Principles:
1. Restoration and preservation of habitat for fish, wildlife and plants is the primary, ultimate goal
2. Recreation, education, and public access are a most powerful tool to foster, propagate and perpetuate long-term stewardship of ecologically sensitive areas
3. Public access must not degrade ecology or inhibit restoration
4. Public access includes facilities to view, enjoy, and educate visitors without encroaching on the fish, fauna and riparian flora essential to habitat health
5. The waterway, especial spawning grounds for endangered species, and associated habitat for riparian fauna, should be isolated as much as possible from human intrusion, illegal fishing, creek bed and bank disturbances by providing, native plant installations that discourage direct human access to most of the creek
6. Landowners with properties adjoining the waterway and restoration areas are ethically compelled to extend and promote the restoration onto their properties as much as possible
7. Landowners should encourage limited access and disturbance of the stream bank as much as possible, with dense planting of native plants on the creek banks and few incursions onto the waterfront
8. Human ecology is an essential component of the preservation and restorations
9. Restoration planning must consider human ecology, including privacy, public access, promotion of education, and wishes of adjoining landowners for long-term sustainability and propagation of the conservations works
Please join us in our targeted concern for precious habitat. Post to Facebook or email us at [email protected].
