Water Trail Plan presented for approval by Nisqually River Council on 2/16/18

1. Nisqually River Water Trail

2. Purpose/Vision
 Vision: The Nisqually River Water Trail provides high quality non-
motorized public recreation opportunities that are aligned with efforts to
protect areas of cultural importance and the natural environment, including
threatened and endangered species habitat and protected lands.
 Planning effort led by the Nisqually River Council with technical assistance
from the National Park Service’s Rivers Trails and Conservation
Assistance Program (RTCA).
 Guided by an Advisory Committee

3. Project Timeline

4. Goals
 Provide ample public access opportunities to the Nisqually River from La
Grande Dam to the Nisqually Estuary
 Create minimal impact on salmon habitat, private lands, or sensitive
ecosystems
 Provide interpretation opportunities for users to learn about the cultural
importance and natural history of the area
 Recognize the personal responsibility of users, including exercising skill-
based judgement and Leave No Trace principles

5. Advisory Committee Accomplishments
 7 meetings  developed vision, goals, and recommendations
 4 river floats & field visits to developed/potential access sites
 Participated in a Focus Group Workshop to identify areas of high value or
importance
 Special thanks to:
 Ed Kenney, for showing the core planning team several additional access points
 Thomas O’Keefe for providing boats/gear for all river floats, for photographs of the river
and for review of maps
 Chuck Young for writing sections of the Concept Plan, writing segments for the website,
and for reviewing maps
 Rebecca Post, for providing boats/gear for all river floats, hosting a river clean up, and
for review of maps

6. Public Outreach
 Media releases  press release, newsletter article, blog post,
Facebook
 4 Open Houses & 2 Informational Booths
 Eatonville
 Yelm
 Nisqually Indian Tribe – Open House & booth at community dinner
 Nisqually Watershed Festival – informational booth
 Online Survey
 146 Responses
 Public Comment on draft Plan

7. Concept Plan
 Completed and adopted by September 2017
 Contains 1-year workplan for implementation
 Short-term, Mid-term and Long-term recommendations for
improvement
 Available online: watertrail.nisquallyriver.org

10. Implementation

11. Initial Outreach
 Development of informational website:
watertrail.nisquallyriver.org
 Safety information
 Access sites/reach descriptions
 Focus on McKenna Park to Luhr Beach
 Downloadable maps
 Reach by reach descriptions
 Reviewed by local recreationists
 Printable in black & white and color
 Logo Design
 Selected local artist, working on design development

12. Implementation Forum
 Convened by the Nisqually River Council
 Plan to meet on an annual basis
 Guide implementation & pursue opportunities as they arise
 Ideal make-up:
 Land managers [including agencies, non-profits, etc]
 Recreationists
 Nisqually Indian Tribe
 Emergency response personnel
 Natural resource managers
 Others?

13. Next Steps
 Identify funding source(s) to support Implementation Forum & priority actions
 Convene annual Implementation Forum
 We’d like to hear from you…

14. Action # of stars Volunteers/Partners
Host clean-up/stewardship events along the river and at access sites to
remove trash and other debris.
5
Track user data by reach 5 WDFW
Develop and install water trail signs to increase awareness of the water trail
and safety information at existing access sites from McKenna to Luhr Beach.
4 WDFW, Centralia Power
Continue conversations with Nisqually State Park and the Nisqually Indian
Tribe on access to the Nisqually through the State Park.
4 American Whitewater, Chuck Young
Support efforts to extend the Yelm-Tenino Trail to the Nisqually River and
beyond. Pursue opportunities to construct additional access site and/or day-
use area at the intersection of the Yelm-Tenino Trail and Nisqually River.
4 Nisqually Land Trust, Anne Wahrmund
Begin conversations with Weyerhaeuser to determine feasibility of increased
access through their property.
3
Improve 6th Ave access site to make the take-out safer. 3 WDFW
Create an interactive map of the water trail. 2 American Whitewater

15. Action # of stars Volunteers/Partners
Share information on the development of the water trail and available
resources including safety information on the website and maps with local
public safety agencies, river user groups and businesses catering to local
river users.
2
Identify and pursue funding sources to support implementation. 1
Work with emergency responders and land managers to identify and map
emergency landings and places for emergency providers to access the river.
1 Nisqually Land Trust, Chuck Young
Improve ramp through widening at Nisqually Park/Yelm Powerhouse. 1
Develop outreach tools telling the cultural and ecological stories of the area.
Begin conversations with JBLM to determine locations suited/appropriate
for stretching, lunch spots, etc.
Encourage commercial guided trips on the river.

16. Thank you!
Contact:
Justin Hall
Justin@nisquallyriver.org or 360.438.8715