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The Lower Columbia 

Lower Columbia By the Numbers

74 ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations

2,280 miles of fish-bearing streams

18 watersheds

6 counties

8 community-based watershed plans

5,700 square miles 

268 miles of Columbia River shoreline

8 major tributary dams

1 Columbia River dam

20+ hatcheries

6 State legislative districts

and many important tribal, sport, and commercial fisheries.

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The Lower Columbia region extends from the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to, and including, the Little White Salmon River.

The Recovery Region

The federal Endangered Species Act requires the federal government to develop recovery plans for salmon determined to be at risk of extinction. In Washington, seven (7) regional organizations were formed to develop recovery plans and coordinate implementation (under RCW 77.85). Regional recovery organizations are made up of local, state, and federal agencies, tribes, and citizens, and coordinate their efforts through the Council of Regions.

Map of the Regional Salmon Recovery Organizations in Washington State

Map of the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board region

Map of the Salmon Recovery Lead Entities in Washington State

The Lead Entity 

Lead entities are local organizations that develop salmon habitat recovery strategies and recruit organizations to implement the strategies through habitat restoration and protection projects.

 

Lead entities perform an essential role in salmon recovery in Washington. Established by law (RCW 77.85), the 25 lead entities are governed by a committee of local citizens, assisted by technical experts. The federal Endangered Species Act requires the federal government to develop recovery plans for salmon determined to be at risk of extinction. 

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