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(4) countering the permanent effect of urban runoff on an already delicate 

 river system. 



Growing suburban development and light industry in the upper watershed will 

 degrade fish habitat by increasing the intensity of storm runoff, making high 

 flows higher and perhaps low flows lower. This means more scouring of 

 spawning beds in the winter and less rearing area in the summer. 



Industrial Expansion 



The Grays Harbor Navigational Improvement salmon mitigation site, an 

 artificial slough managed for early estuarine fish rearing, may be threatened 

 by potential development of nearby lowlands for industry or log storage (Gwill 

 Ging, FWE, pers. comm. ) . Runoff from the adjacent developments could pollute 

 the slough and thus reduce rearing habitat value for juvenile salmon. 



Aquaculture 



Aquaculture in the Black River area has been criticized on the grounds that it 

 increases the risk of groundwater depletion. If so, an increase in 

 aguaculture could reduce instream flow now coming from local infiltration, 

 since the Black River valley has a strong groundwater connection to the main 

 stem Chehalis. 



Bank Protection 



Until recently, agricultural agencies assisted farmers and ranchers in 

 stabilizing eroding streambanks . This process permanently removed key 

 salmonid habitat features including undercut banks, instream woody debris, and 

 shading vegetation (Chapman and Knudsen 1980). Currently, agricultural and 

 fishery agencies usually cooperate to make up for the loss by planting shade 

 trees along the protected bank (Rich Bainbridge, SCS, pers. comm.). Some 

 projects include other added habitat features, such as boulder groins to 

 create pools and eddies, anchored trees to provide instream cover, or dense 

 willow plantings to reduce the need for rockwork. However, since improper 

 bank protection upstream accelerates erosion downstream, the demand for more 

 riprap continues. Although one riprap project with suitable considerations 

 for fish will likely not cause long-term deleterious effects on fish 

 populations, the cumulative effects of numerous riprap projects will be 

 negative. 



