The time that many of you have been waiting for has arrived: fish, lamprey, and mussel salvage with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnerhip!
This is your best chance to do some interesting and rewarding field work to aid the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project. The LCEP invites volunteers with field work experience to participate. Before reconstruction can begin on the river, aquatic species residing within the project area must be safely relocated to suitable habitat.
Fish lamprey, and mussel salvage schedule:
June 17-19
June 23-27
June 30-July 3
Register HERE
All groups will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Clark County Maintenance Yard (6609 NE 269th St, Battle Ground, WA 98604) for a briefing prior to shuttling in UTVs to the project site. The start time is not flexible due to the on-site shuttle (up to 30 minutes depending on location of aquatic salvage). Please factor your personal travel time to the Clark County Maintenance Yard into your planning process.
Equipment and supplies required and requested
Required: Chest waders, hip waders, or tall rubber boots (chest waders preferred)
Required: Food and 2 liters of water for an entire day in the field
Required: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, change of clothing
Optional: drysuit, walking stick
Experience working in natural areas or parks with long hours of physical labor preferred! This is the start of a massive river restoration project. It’s tough but rewarding work!
Equipment provided by the Estuary Partnership
Hard hats
UTV transportation from the County Maintenance Yard to the field
Safety vests
First aid kits
Nets, buckets, coolers, and towels to complete aquatic salvage operations
What to expect:
Prepare for the weather – we will be working in rain or shine
The construction site can be very dusty (especially while driving in the UTVs)
This will be done in pond-like conditions with mud and muck, and in the mainstem of the East Fork where currents may be swift and rocks are slippery.
Access to the pits and river may require descending steep slopes or require traversing difficult, uneven terrain
Parking: Please park along the road, outside of the gate to the maintenance yard. If there is no parking outside the gate, please park next to the construction trailers along the fence. A map will be sent in your confirmation email.
Restrooms: there are Porta Potties at the county maintenance yard and at the river.