WDFW gives Cowlitz County overview of Region 5 priorities: fish passage, habitat projects, deer collaring and hoof-disease work

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Southwest Region officials briefed Cowlitz County commissioners on regional fish, wildlife and habitat priorities and fielded county questions about license fees, hatcheries, elk hoof disease and predator trends.

Ryan Salee, WDFW Southwest Region director, opened the workshop with an agency overview and introduced program leads from fish, wildlife, habitat and enforcement. He said the region manages a broad portfolio of programs across diverse landscapes, including the Columbia River and multiple tributary fisheries, and works with tribes and federal partners on fish passage and recovery.

WDFW staff described several items of direct relevance to Cowlitz County. On the North Fork Toutle River, WDFW and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are updating the Toutle Fish Collection Facility; WDFW said the project is at about 60% design and construction is scheduled for 2026–27, and that design work is intended to improve collection efficiency, transport survival and to include lamprey passage. Staff noted that the Army Corps retains ownership of the sediment retention structure while WDFW owns and maintains the…