131 



Other Balmonid species seem to depend less on the estuary as a nursery ground, 

 although steelhead were present in low numbers from mid-May to late July, 

 cutthroat smolts were found in July, and Dolly Varden juveniles were found in 

 Harch (Simenatad and Eggers 1981). 



ANTICIPATED HABITAT PROBLEMS 



Cantralia Area riood Control 



The USACE has proposed to rehabilitate 7,000 feet of existing levee along the 

 Skookumchuck River within the City of Centralia, and to add 1,300 to 1,700 

 feet of new levee. This could cause more rapid winter velocities in the main 

 stem and remove low-velocity side channels that serve as refuge for 

 overwintering coho salmon and cutthroat trout. This project has been 

 indefinitely postponed because the cities of Centralia and Chehalis could not 

 obtain the additional sponsors required by DSACE. 



Another flood control project has been proposed on Salzer Creek, which enters 

 the Chehalis between the cities of Centralia and Chehalis. The object is to 

 quickly remove floodwater from the county fairgrounds and airport. Floodwaters 

 come from both the creek and from the Chehalis, which backs up into this area 

 in high water. This project is also in abeyance until the cities get 

 additional sponsors. Issues may arise regarding preservation and restoration 

 of riparian habitat, fish access to potential off-channel rearing areas, and 

 fish safety if floodwater pumping is involved. 



Satsop Energy Development 



Construction of both Satsop nuclear plants has been halted until regional 

 power needs are re-aBsessed. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is 

 reviewing proposals by potential contractors such as Washington Public Power 

 Supply System (WPPSS). The earliest that BPA may decide to begin reactivating 

 the nuclear projects is 1993 (Jason Zeller, Washington Energy Office, pers. 

 coram.)- A Final Environmental Statement has been prepared (Nuclear Regulatory 

 Commission 1985) and would have included an agreement with the City of 

 Aberdeen to allow 67 cfs, taken out of the city's water right, to remain 

 instream to compensate for the plant's withdrawal of water from the Chehalis 

 River near Satsop (Cities of Aberdeen and Tacoma 1985). 



Urbanisation 



Issues in the rapidly growing suburban area around Grand Mound, Centralia, and 

 southern Thurston County generally include: 



(1) predicting the effect of increases in municipal well withdrawal on 

 groundwater supply and reduced seepage to the river, 



(2) ensuring that the new Grand Mound Sewage Treatment Plant will not 

 Increase the risk of more fish kills on the Black and Chehalis Rivers, 



(3) mitigating the effect of vegetation removal during new construction, and 



