Satsop River: Understanding Applicable Federal Laws And Regulations

The Satsop River is a 45-mile-long tributary of the Chehalis River in Washington State, USA. The river is monitored by various government agencies, including the USGS, NOAA, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. With a history of significance to the indigenous Chehalis people, the river now serves recreational and agricultural purposes. This includes hydroelectric power generation, with two dams in place, as well as boating, fishing, swimming, dairy farming, and cranberry farming. The river also holds ecological importance, with projects aimed at improving salmon habitats and riparian areas. The Satsop River and its tributaries are subject to federal laws and management, with funding allocated to address issues such as erosion and flood mitigation.

Flooding

The Satsop River, located in the U.S. state of Washington, is susceptible to flooding. The river's flow is influenced by factors such as precipitation, logging activities, and erosion. The National Weather Service has established a flood stage of 38 feet for the Satsop River near Satsop, WA. Flooding can occur when the river's gauge height exceeds this threshold.

The Satsop River's watershed covers an extensive area, including Grays Harbor and Mason counties. The river's main stem forms from the confluence of the West and East Forks, with the Middle Fork being a tributary of the East Fork. The West Fork, rising in the southern Olympic Mountains, is the longest tributary at 44 miles (71 km) long. The total river length, including the West Fork and the main stem, is approximately 50.5 miles (81.3 km).

The river's flow is influenced by precipitation, with the highest flow occurring during the winter and early spring due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt. The combination of steep slopes, timber harvesting, and a dense network of logging roads increases the risk of destructive erosion, which can lead to flooding. The river's flow is also influenced by nearby logging activities, which can impact the river's water levels and contribute to sedimentation.

To mitigate flood risks, the Chehalis Basin Strategy has allocated $3.0 million to improve a 5-mile (8.0 km) section of the Satsop River near its conjunction with the Chehalis River. The project aims to address erosion issues and enhance riparian habitats, creating a more resilient waterway that can better withstand flooding. The plan also includes the installation of over 30 logjam jacks and 350 acres (140 ha) of ecosystem improvements, benefiting aquatic species and local communities.

The Satsop River is an important habitat for migratory fish, including chinook, chum, and coho salmon. The river's tributaries, such as Decker Creek, Canyon River, and the Little River, are crucial for salmon spawning. Efforts to improve salmon habitat have included constructing spawning channels and fish hatcheries. By enhancing the river's ecosystem and addressing erosion concerns, the risk of flooding can be reduced, benefiting both the aquatic species and the local communities that depend on the river.

Indigenous land rights

The Satsop River in Washington is named after the Satsop Native Americans, who lived along the river and were neighbours of the Lower Chehalis, Humptulip, and Hoquiam peoples. The Satsop people shared a similar political organisation with these tribes, but their relation to other Native Americans remains unclear.

Some ethnologists classify the Satsops as a subdivision of the Lower Chehalis people, while others place them closer to the Upper Chehalis (Kwaiailk) people. This is partly because the Satsop Coast Salish dialect appears most closely related to the Upper Chehalis dialect. The Satsop people were devastated by smallpox and other epidemics, after which the remaining population moved from their ancestral lands along the Satsop River to the Chehalis Reservation. The Satsop population was listed as 350 in 1870 and only 12 in 1885. There is no Satsop tribe today.

The Satsop River's watershed is located within Grays Harbor and Mason counties. Most of the watershed consists of heavily wooded hill lands, with the upper tributaries extending into the Olympic National Forest. Land ownership within the Satsop River's watershed is approximately 62% corporate, 18% National Forest, 13% private, 6% state, and less than 1% municipal and county. Commercial forests, including National Forest lands, make up about 95% of the land use in the Satsop watershed.

The Satsop River and its tributaries support a variety of migratory fish, including chinook, chum, and coho salmon. Several projects have been undertaken to improve salmon habitat in the Satsop watershed, including the construction of spawning channels and fish hatcheries. The river's watershed is also prime timber land, and approximately 70% of the watershed's forests are less than 35 years old. Timber harvesting, combined with the region's steep slopes and high rainfall, presents significant erosion and sedimentation risks.

Dams and hydroelectric power

The construction of dams and hydroelectric power plants in the US is governed by a complex interplay of federal laws, policies, and agencies. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the main regulatory body for the hydroelectric industry and is responsible for licensing, relicensing, and overseeing ongoing project operations, including dam safety inspections and environmental monitoring.

The history of hydropower policy in the US is long and complex, with various laws and regulations being enacted over time to address the changing demands and considerations surrounding water resources and energy production. One of the earliest federal policies regarding interstate waters was established under the Commerce Clause in 1824, focusing on the development of navigation and flood control. The General Survey Act further empowered the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to take the lead on these improvements.

The Federal Water Power Act of 1920, now known as Part I of the Federal Power Act (FPA), gave the Federal Power Commission (FPC), the predecessor of FERC, the authority to license and regulate non-federal hydropower projects. This act has since been amended several times, including by the Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013, and the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.

The licensing process for hydroelectric projects can be complex and time-consuming. FERC has three licensing processes: integrated, traditional, and alternative. The integrated process is the default and aims to provide a "predictable, efficient, and timely licensing process." The traditional process involves a three-stage pre-filing process, while the alternative process requires permission from FERC to use.

FERC also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the environment. Before submitting applications, applicants must communicate with relevant stakeholders, including federal and state Natural Resource agencies, Indian tribes, and state water quality agencies. FERC issues draft "Environmental Assessments" and "Environmental Impact Statements" and invites the public to comment. FERC also includes terms and conditions in the licenses to mitigate environmental impacts.

The construction of large dams and power plants can have significant environmental consequences, including soil erosion, the spread of disease, and the loss of species. Therefore, the approval process for such projects must consider the potential environmental impact and include measures to minimise any negative effects.

Salmon fishing

The Satsop River is a tributary of the Chehalis River, flowing for around 50 miles through Grays Harbor and Mason Counties. The river has four major tributaries: the Middle, East, and West Forks, and Decker Creek. The East Fork is known for its large silvers (Coho), with salmon fishing taking place from October through December. The river is also home to Steelhead, a type of trout, which can be fished from December through April.

The West Fork of the Satsop River flows through a narrow valley before opening up into a broad valley with low surrounding hills. The river ends its journey by flowing into the Chehalis River near the town of Satsop.

Fishing techniques for salmon on the Satsop River include pulling plugs, twitching jigs, casting spinners, or floating eggs. The river is known for producing large salmon, with a 21-pound Coho caught at the mouth of Grays Harbor.

The Satsop River also has several fishing guides and services available to help anglers find the best spots and techniques for catching salmon.

Logging and environmental concerns

The Satsop River's watershed is prime timber land, and most of it is privately owned. The Schafer family, who were among the first settlers in the Satsop Valley, founded one of the biggest and most successful logging companies in the area. The company grew from using an oxteam to haul logs to owning large tracts of timberland served by miles of logging railroads.

The river's watershed is heavily wooded, and the upper tributaries extend into the Olympic National Forest, approaching the Olympic National Park. Approximately 70% of the watershed's forests are less than 35 years old, and timber harvesting is common. The region's steep slopes and high rainfall (ranging from 70 to 175 inches per year) present significant erosion and mass wasting hazards. The high density of logging roads further increases the risks of erosion and sedimentation.

To address these environmental concerns, the Satsop River received a $3 million in funding under the Chehalis Basin Strategy in 2023. The funding will be used to improve a 5-mile stretch of the river near Satsop and its conjunction with the Chehalis River. The project includes the elimination of excess erosion, the reintroduction of riparian habitats, and the installation of over 30 logjam jacks. These efforts will enhance the aquatic habitat for salmon and other species while also helping to mitigate flooding in the area.

The Satsop River and its tributaries support a diverse range of migratory fish, including chinook, chum, and coho salmon. The river is an important habitat for these species, and several projects have been undertaken to improve spawning channels and construct fish hatcheries. The river was once considered for a potential dam site, but the project was abandoned due to concerns about its impact on local fish populations.

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