Participants in the Lewis River Settlement Process

Additional Quotes

Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife:

“This agreement promises significant benefits for restoration of native fish populations, for recreational fisheries that contribute to the economic health of communities along the Lewis River and for preservation of wildlife habitat,” said Jeff Koenings, PhD., director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

“By pursuing eventual re-opening of over 100 miles of watershed to salmon and steelhead, while continuing hatchery programs that sustain popular fisheries for kokanee, trout, salmon and steelhead, this settlement offers sound support for local economies, fish and wildlife.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

"This was a collaborative process that required tremendous effort over a prolonged period by all the parties involved," said Dave Allen, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Region. "But our efforts have been worth it. We have made significant strides in enhancing and protecting the fish and wildlife resources in the Lewis River Basin ."

American Rivers

"Today's agreement shows that hydropower dams can be improved to benefit healthy rivers and the quality of life in a basin's communities” said Rob Masonis, American Rivers Northwest regional director. “We applaud Pacificorp and Cowlitz PUD for doing their part -- this is an important step in ensuring the health of the Lewis River , and its salmon and steelhead, for future generations."

Fish First:

“We support the settlement because it will continue to produce hatchery fish for sports harvest and partially restore the marine derived nutrient cycle in the upper Lewis River Basin by reestablishing a wild salmon population above the dams,” said Jim Malinowski of Fish First. “Restoring the marine derived nutrient cycle will benefit thousands of upper basin animal and plant species.”

NOAA Fisheries

“We have a lot to celebrate today”, said D. Robert Lohn, NOAA Fisheries, Regional Administrator.  “This agreement opens up 174 miles of new habitat for salmon and steelhead in the Lewis River .  This represents one of the biggest boosts for salmon recovery in the Lower Columbia River Basin ."

Woodland Chamber of Commerce:

“This agreement establishes a great balance between power generation, fish, flood control and recreation on the Lewis River System,” said Darlene Johnson, Board Member of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce.  “All are winners and the Woodland Chamber of Commerce and the City of Woodland  are proud to have helped in this process.”

Gifford Pinchot National Forest :

Regional Forester Linda Goodman “commends the parties on the result of their years of hard work and is especially thrilled to see the return of salmon and steelhead to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest .”

Citizen-at-Large:

“I am pleased with the settlement,” said Noel Johnson, Citizen-at-Large. “I believe we have accomplished an agreement that is beneficial to the entire community. It took a lot of time and effort but it was a great learning experience and I would do it all over again.”

Board of County Commissioners , Cowlitz County , Washington

Cowlitz County has enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the Lewis River Hydropower Relicensing process,” said J. Bill Lehning, Cowlitz County Commissioner. “Although a significant challenge at times, the County's negotiations with Cowlitz PUD and PacifiCorp have led to improvements that will benefit citizens of the County as well as visitors to the Lewis River Valley .”