2004 Tour, September 22nd, Lynden, Whatcom County

Year 2003, October 2nd, Twisp, Okanogan County

“Water, Salmon and Farmers: Bridging the Gap with CRM” More than 50 people toured the Twin Creeks watershed near Twisp. Private landowners there are working closely with various agencies to improve irrigation efficiencies through irrigated water management and removing or restructuring water diversions to eliminate fish passage barriers. This CRM project was done in response to a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife proposal to reconstruct five irrigation diversions that were blocking passage of ESA listed species.

According to the Capital Press article written about this tour, “Beaver Creek drains a mountain forest watershed of over 100 square miles in the Methow Valley. A peaceful setting nonetheless the scene of conflict over fish habitat and agricultural production. The good news is that the Okanogan Conservation District has come up with a two-step solution and money to implement it, to help fish and farmers.”

This tour was dedicated to Vim Crane Wright and Senator Scott Barr

2002 Tour, August 28th, Goldendale, Klickitat County

Private landowners, private timber companies, and state and federal agencies, through a voluntary collaborative CRM effort, have been able to place a significant amount of conservation on the ground in Klickitat County.

One of the goals was to provide water for livestock and at the same time protect Presher Springs and improve water quality. The spring headwaters were enhanced and protected and miles of fence were installed to keep cattle out of sensitive riparian areas. Over flow pipes from watering troughs were installed to return water to the stream for increased flows for fish. Shrub and tree seedlings were planted adjacent to stream corridors to provide shade. Other successes have been achieved on commercial forest lands where both forage for livestock and timber production were significantly enhanced by using grazing as tool to meet timber management objectives.

The Capitol Press article detailing the tour, entitled "Resource Teamwork has Track Record in Washington," describes Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) as one of Washington States "best kept secrets" for the enhancement of natural resources.

2001 Tour, October 23rd, Entiat Washington, Chelan County

After many months of meetings in an atmosphere of hostility, one of the members in the group heard about CRM and the successes that were occurring in Asotin County. The 19 Entiat participants agreed to embrace the CRM principles and guidelines for locally led collaborative efforts, the mistrust diminished and communication improved immensely which allowed the planning effort to move forward.

Highlights for the October tour participants included seeing fish spawning in pools created by recently constructed rock weirs. Irrigation water management improvements and significant reductions in the use of fertilizers by the orchardists contributed to improved water quality leaving more water in the river for fish--Truly a win-win outcome for both farmers and fish. The Washington Department of Ecology and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service stream team provided vital technical support contributing to the success of the Entiat Watershed Coordinated Resource Management Plan.

The title of the Capitol Press article, "A Valley for Farmers and Fish," captures the successful outcome of collaborative efforts of local stakeholders and state agencies to enhance fish habitat while assuring the economic viability of orchardists and other agricultural producers in the valley.

2000 Tour - Kelso, Washington, Cowlitz County

"CRM Reaping Dividends on Westside Timbered Watersheds." On this tour and a previous one hosted by the Cowlitz Conservation District in 1998, participants learned about major reductions in stream sedimentation and other significant salmon habitat enhancements. These objectives were achieved through the development and implementation of CRM plans on several forested watersheds in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. By focusing the CRM planning process on smaller watersheds, the local residents felt a unifying sense of community was the key to the successes achieved through their voluntary, locally led collaborative efforts.

The involvement and eager cooperation of commercial forestland owners in reducing sedimentation from roads made a significant contribution to the success of the Silver Lake CRM. Technical support from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Conservation Districts, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and landowner participation contributed to the enhancement of several miles of stream habitat.

1999 Tour, Methow Valley, Okanogan County

On this Methow Valley tour, the compatibility of well managed grazing and habitat protection for fish and wildlife was vividly demonstrated. The Okanogan County Conservation District, NRCS rangeland specialist, the local WDFW wildlife biologist, and range livestock operators have learned to weave together the needs of livestock and wildlife under a management plan that can benefit both. The beneficial outcome is being achieved through Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) where all the stakeholders are at the table working on site specific on-the-ground resource management improvements.

Over one half million acres (650,000) of state, federal, tribal, and privately owned lands have been incorporated into CRM plans in Okanogan County. It may be of particular interest to environmental and wildlife interests that all of the above CRM planning efforts incorporate the House Bill 1309 "Ecosystem Management Standards for the Enhancement of Fish and Wildlife Habitat." (H.B. 1309 was enacted by the Washington Legislature in 1993 and amended in 1996).