Find recent news coverage on Office of Chehalis Basin accomplishments, project updates, and ongoing processes in the list below:
March 19, 2026
The Daily World:
FEMA unfreezes $80M+ for Aberdeen-Hoquiam flood project
“On Thursday, after nearly a year of pressure from U.S. Rep. Emily Randall (D, WA-06), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it would relaunch the Building Resilient Communities and Infrastructure (BRIC) grant program. The Trump administration illegally cancelled the program in April 2025, immediately freezing more than $80 million in allocated funding for the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project. […]”
March 16, 2026
The Chronicle:
Zac Eckstein: The Chehalis Basin has a flood plan — and the Cowlitz Basin needs one
“Last December, in the High Valley neighborhood outside Packwood, residents spent the night stacking sandbags and watching the Cowlitz River chew away at the bank behind their homes. A few miles away in Randle, parts of U.S. Highway 12 were under water, isolating the community as the river crested above flood stage. Emergency crews would eventually rebuild sections of the High Valley riverbank to protect houses from collapsing, and swift water rescue teams worked tirelessly for days to save more than 60 people throughout the course of the flood. […]”
February 19, 2026
The Chronicle:
Washington AG Nick Brown asks court to enforce BRIC order
“Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and a multistate coalition filed a motion Tuesday asking the District Court of Massachusetts to enforce its order prohibiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from terminating the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program (BRIC) and directing the agency to promptly take all steps necessary to reverse the termination. […]”
February 18, 2026
The Chronicle:
Grays Harbor County Commissioner Vickie Raines announces resignation
“Grays Harbor County District 3 Commissioner Vickie Raines announced her intention to resign from the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday morning via email. “Just a quick note, I’ll be resigning my position as commissioner at today’s board meeting, with an effective date of March 31st,” Raines wrote. “I previously decided not to seek re-election, now I’ve chosen to depart a bit earlier than planned. After 11 years as a GHC Commissioner and more than 26 years of elected office, I have the opportunity to do something different, where I believe I can make a positive impact in people’s lives.” […]”
February 2, 2026
The Chronicle:
Letter to the editor: Chehalis River dam would come at too high of a cost
“I’m writing to respond to the letter titled, “Proposed flow-through dam offers real benefits with very little environmental impacts,” published on Jan. 23. As a mom who lives and works in the Chehalis Basin, we need to be honest with ourselves about the proposed dam. This letter suggested the environmental impacts are minimal, but that is not true. They must not have read the environmental impact statement from Ecology that the public comment period is currently focused on. It’s very clear, this will have significant adverse impacts for our environment. Spring Chinook and winter steelhead could be driven to extinction; wildlife habitat will suffer reduced food sources, tree cover and connectivity. […]”
January 27, 2026
The Chronicle:
Julie McDonald Commentary: Dam allowing water flow addresses concerns while curtailing flooding
“As a journalist, I remember wading through water to reach The Daily Chronicle newsroom in 1986 — the same year floodwaters swept through American Crossarm and Conduit and contaminated 200 homes in a Chehalis neighborhood — writing about the drowning deaths of Lloyd “Tuffy” Anderson of Centralia and Orville Decker of Winlock in January 1990, and reporting on devastation left in the wake of floods in 1996. […]”
January 23, 2026
The Chronicle:
Survivors of 2007 flood urge support for flow-through dam
“For many in Washington state, the disastrous 2007 flood that hit the Chehalis River Basin was a headline. For the youngest generation in Lewis County, it’s a story. For those who lived and worked in the county in 2007, the flood was a nightmare come true, one locals worry may come again. […]”
January 23, 2026
The Chronicle:
Congresswoman urging release of $87M for Grays Harbor County flood project
“On Friday, U.S. Rep. Emily Randall (D, 6th District) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to follow up on the Trump administration’s decision to terminate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project was allocated $87 million in BRIC grants when FEMA abruptly cancelled the program in April 2025, putting the funds on hold.. […]”
January 16, 2026
The Daily World:
Checking in on the Chehalis Basin restoration projects
“A little over 21 inches of precipitation is what National Centers for Environmental Information, an agency within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reported that Grays Harbor County received in December 2025. The county’s historic average for the month is 15 inches, which meant that the streams, rivers, and stormwater systems were handling higher flows of water. […]”
January 9, 2026
The Daily World:
Residents and officials weigh in on flow-through dam proposal for Chehalis River
“Local residents and others with interest in the Chehalis River Basin on Tuesday night got a chance to comment in person on a study estimating the environmental impacts of building a flow-through dam near Pe Ell to mitigate chronic flooding. The Washington state Department of Ecology held the first of a series of in-person public hearings Tuesday evening at Centralia College to give residents a chance to comment on an official draft environmental impact statement on a proposed dam meant to hold back flood waters during extreme flood events. […]”
See more: 2025 archive
December 28, 2025
The Olympian:
What does $2.4 million water rights purchase mean for Thurston County’s growth?
“Thurston County secured a $2.4 million grant to purchase water rights to keep up with a quickly-growing community, and protect local resources for future generations. According to a news release from the county on Dec. 19, the grant agreement came from the Washington State Department of Ecology to buy about 800-acre feet of water rights from the TransAlta Water Bank. […]”
December 17, 2025
The Chronicle:
Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat seeks local projects for funding
“A Chehalis River Basin-based conservation group is now looking for local projects meant to restore or preserve streams in the Chehalis Basin. The Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat announced earlier this month that it would be accepting project proposals through Tuesday, Feb. 10. The collaborative helps direct as much as $1 million in state funding from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board each year to restoration and conservation projects…”
December 8, 2025
The Daily World:
Ecology announces lower basin session to comment on Chehalis River flow-through dam
“The Office of Chehalis Basin is bringing the party to the lower basin to talk about a new environmental impact statement for a proposed flood-mitigating flow-through dam. The Office of Chehalis Basin and the Washington state Department of Ecology announced Wednesday afternoon that they would hold an additional public meeting in Aberdeen next month on Jan. 13…”
December 8, 2025
The Journal of Olympia, Lacy & Tumwater (JOLT News):
Thurston County supports Chehalis Basin efforts minus dam endorsement
“Thurston County joined 12 jurisdictions backing Chehalis Basin flood management efforts after revising a resolution to align with its position on dam infrastructure decisions. The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners passed the resolution supporting continued state funding for flood mitigation and aquatic species restoration efforts during its work session on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The resolution is subject to legal review…”
October 29, 2025
The Chronicle:
City of Chehalis accepts $200,000 grant from Office of Chehalis Basin for treatment plant project demolition
“The City of Chehalis received a $200,000 grant from the Office of Chehalis Basin for Phase II of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Demolition Project. The Chehalis City Council approved the acceptance of the funding during its Monday business meeting. In 2024, the city received $100,000 in grant funding from the office for the purpose of conducting environmental pre-permitting work and developing 60% demolition design at the 9.32-acre derelict wastewater treatment plant, located at 1191 NW Shoreline Drive…”
October 7, 2025
The Daily World:
Chehalis Basin Strategy at a crossroads
“Another rainy season is just around the corner, and for many people in the Chehalis River Basin that means getting ready for fall and winter fishing and making sure they are signed up for flood alerts from the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority. As members of the independent Chehalis Basin Board, we understand the flooding and habit challenges facing the Basin. Over the past century, salmon runs have declined dramatically, and floods have been bigger, more frequent and more dangerous…”
October 2, 2025
The Journal of Olympia, Lacy & Tumwater (JOLT News):
Thurston County joins Chehalis Basin long-term strategy dialogue
“A study of the Chehalis Basin’s future is underway, with Thurston County reengaging as a voice in policy and public engagement. The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners received a briefing from the Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB) on six long-term options under study in 2025, with a final strategy expected in 2026. The briefing was delivered at a work session on Wednesday, Sept. 24…”
September 5, 2025
Nisqually Valley News:
Rulemaking set in motion by late Bucoda Mayor Rob Gordon opens path to elevate Bucoda homes
“Minor changes to a state rule prohibiting construction in frequently flooded areas could make a big difference for efforts to raise homes in Bucoda and other flood prone areas. Jonathon Loos, a floodplain management policy lead with the Washington state Department of Ecology, presented to the Chehalis Basin Board and Office of Chehalis Basin during the board’s meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4. During the presentation, Loos announced that the implementation of a new rule by the Department of Ecology would provide a pathway to make flood safety improvements to homes in the official floodway…”
August 18, 2025
The Chronicle:
Office of Chehalis Basin looks to inform at Southwest Washington Fair as outreach efforts continue
“The Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB) held the last of its major public tabling events at the Southwest Washington Fair last week during the six-day event. The office teamed up with the Chehalis Basin Flood Authority to host a table under the grandstands and speak with community members about the work the OCB is doing to develop a long-term strategy to address flooding and habitat restoration in the upper basin…”
July 21, 2025
The Chronicle:
Chehalis Basin Board refines strategy analysis ahead of upcoming meeting and public outreach
“The Chehalis Basin Board held an hour-long special meeting on Friday, July 18, to make clarifying decisions concerning the large-scale project packages it approved for deeper analysis at its meeting earlier this month. During the meeting, the board discussed three project packages that are currently being studied for their cost-benefit impact and environmental impacts…”
July 17, 2025
The Daily World:
State awards $9M to improve wildlife habitat on the coast
“The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) on Wednesday announced the award of $9.2 million in grants for projects that will restore habitat, create jobs and improve the resiliency of Washington’s coastal communities. The grants were awarded to eight projects including ones that will remove invasive plants, restore rivers, work with landowners on conservation grazing practices and create habitat for salmon by placing logjams in streams…”
May 21, 2025
The Chronicle:
Farmland and fish habitat: Partners on planned lower Newaukum River project hope it’s a match made in heaven
“A small portion of the lower Newaukum River is set to be a lot more cozy for the salmon and other aquatic species that call it home after the Chehalis Basin Board approved funding for a habitat restoration project near Kirkland Road south of Chehalis at its May 1 meeting. The grant of $880,000 will pay for the engineering and planning costs of the proposed project, which will likely need another $2 to $3 million in funding in the future to pay for construction. The end goal of the project is to improve conditions for salmon along roughly a mile of the lower Newaukum river…”
May 1, 2025
The Daily World:
Gov. Ferguson implores FEMA to fund North Shore levee
“On Friday, April 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency sent shockwaves across the country with the abrupt cancellation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. This decision directly affects several Grays Harbor area infrastructure initiatives, most notably the North Shore levee projects and the Westport tsunami tower collectively worth roughly $100 million in BRIC grant money. The cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam issued a joint press release which indicated “FEMA has stated that they are developing ‘a new approach to mitigation that is more response to state and local requirements, achieves clear mitigation goals, and results in more-timely obligation of funding.’”…”
April 28, 2025
The Chronicle:
Capital budget includes $75M for Chehalis Basin Strategy, $5M to address nitrates in Centralia and more
“Over the weekend, the Washington state Legislature managed to pass its budgets for the next biennium ahead of the session’s April 27 deadline. While the budget process was mostly fought along party lines this year, minority Republicans have praised the $7.6 billion capital budget, which received unanimous support in both houses. Republicans involved in the budget process labeled it a budget “for the entire state,” highlighting statewide impacts, responsible spending and bipartisan cooperation…”
April 9, 2025
The Chronicle:
Senate Capital Budget shows bipartisan support for the Chehalis Basin Strategy
“The Washington state Senate on Saturday, April 5, approved a capital budget proposal with $7.3 billion in planned spending. The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate, showing a level of bipartisan cooperation that has been absent from other budget negotiations this legislative session…”
January 31, 2025
The Chronicle:
Chehalis Basin Strategy in review: Restoration at Riverbend Ranch near Tenino seeks to balance nature and agriculture
“The Riverbend Ranch restoration project in Thurston County supports the goals of the Chehalis Basin Strategy to protect communities from flood damage and restore aquatic species habitat in the 2,700-square-mile Chehalis River Basin. The independent Chehalis Basin Board approved the project, which was funded by the Office of Chehalis Basin’s Aquatic Species Restoration Program and supported by staff from the Thurston Conservation District, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other conservation and engineering professionals…”
See more: 2024 archive
November 18, 2024
The Chronicle:
Chehalis Basin Strategy progress in review: Pump station investments to protect 5,100 properties in lower Chehalis River Basin
“Investments in pump stations are helping communities in the lower Chehalis River Basin protect and reduce damages to homes, businesses and infrastructure when floods occur. It has taken more than a decade to plan and design a cohesive approach for managing flooding in the lower basin. The Chehalis Basin Strategy is funded by the Department of Ecology’s Office of Chehalis Basin and administered by the independent Chehalis Basin Board. The strategy includes near- and long-term actions as well as small- and large-scale projects to reduce flood-related damage and restore aquatic species habitat throughout the 2,700 square-mile Chehalis River basin…”
November 1, 2024
The Chronicle:
Nearly $20 million awarded for levee project in Grays Harbor County
“The City of Hoquiam has received $18.5 million in state funds to help fund the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project in Grays Harbor County. The funding will help protect low-lying urban areas between the Wishkah and Hoquiam rivers, as major portions of both cities lie below sea level. Both rivers flow into the Chehalis River. When completed, the project will include 10.9 miles of earthen, concrete and sheet pile levees, which the Department of Ecology said will help protect 5,100 properties, 1,354 business and nearly 1,300 jobs, and guard local infrastructure…”
October 4, 2024
The Chronicle:
‘A huge piece of mind’: Office of Chehalis Basin project elevates Bucoda home to reduce flooding concerns
“Shawn Selfridge’s house stands out among his neighbors in the small South Thurston County town of Bucoda. A homeowner for six years, a flood roughly five years ago sparked concerns that future events could damage the house, prompting Selfridge to submit for aid through the Community Flood and Assistance (CFAR) Program, part of the Chehalis Basin Strategy. This summer, crews began work to lift the house approximately six feet off the ground…”
September 30, 2024
The Chronicle:
Office of Chehalis Basin to request $80 million from Legislature
“The Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB) will recommend an $80 million biennial budget appropriation from the Washington state Legislature to ‘aggressively pursue the Chehalis Basin Strategy,’ according to budget documents provided during a recent legislative site tour. ‘This request reflects the Board’s priorities for reducing flood damage and restoring aquatic species habitat in the Basin,’ the document says…”
August 23, 2024
The Chronicle:
Chehalis Basin Strategy progress in review: Working together to restore nearly 5 miles of the lower Satsop River for salmon, steelhead and local communities
“This summer, two projects sponsored by Grays Harbor Conservation District will begin restoring nearly 5 miles of the lower Satsop River to reduce unnaturally rapid riverbank erosion and help improve habitat for salmon, steelhead trout and other aquatic life. By placing large woody debris in the river, controlling invasive plants and reconnecting the floodplain, the projects aim to improve the environmental health of the river system with long-term resilience to the impacts of climate change…”
May 24, 2024
The Chronicle:
Chehalis Basin Strategy in review: Replacement dam on Mill Creek still bringing flood protection for 200-plus homes and businesses
“Mill Creek flows through the City of Cosmopolis in Grays Harbor County, meeting with the Chehalis River north of the city. Mill Creek Park, within walking distance of the city, is a 39-acre popular green space for the community, and used to include a large pond held by a dam on the creeks. The area was already prone to flooding. Then, in 2008, a major flood wiped out the 1930s-era dam on the creek…”
February 7, 2024
The Chronicle:
Above the flood — Elevated pads keep livestock and equipment dry
“In December 2007, a record-setting flood deluged the Chehalis Basin, causing $930 million in total damages. Basin agriculture also suffered, losing livestock, production rates and equipment. In response, Lewis County and Grays Harbor conservation districts, along with the Washington State Conservation Commission, came together with farmers to design an approach that could prevent future agricultural losses during flood events…”
January 5, 2024
The Chronicle:
From local extinction to recovery — the comeback of the Oregon spotted frog in the Chehalis River Basin
“Once considered locally extinct west of the Cascades, the Oregon spotted frog was remarkably ‘rediscovered’ by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists in a wetland in the Black River watershed in Thurston County in 1990. Since then, state biologists have found an additional Oregon spotted frog site in 2017 in the same watershed, including a site at Bloom’s Ditch in Thurston County…”
See more: 2023 archive
December 1, 2023
The Chronicle:
Chehalis Basin Flood Warning System wins National Operational Excellence Award
A series of atmospheric rivers are expected to impact the Pacific Northwest beginning Saturday, Dec. 2. The National Weather Service is forecasting rising rivers and streams in the region. Some river locations in the Chehalis region may reach minor flood stage. Over the past month, rain gauges in the Chehalis River Basin have recorded 10 to 20 inches of rain with another 5 to 10 inches of rain possible by Dec. 4…
November 17, 2023
The Chronicle:
Bringing Stillman Creek back to life
Stillman Creek, a tributary to the South Fork Chehalis River, is a salmon-bearing creek in Lewis County. In partnership with four private landowners, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Capitol Land Trust and Lewis Conservation District restored 2 miles of habitat and improved more than 45 acres to benefit coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, lamprey and other aquatic species...
October 28, 2023
Washington State Department of Ecology:
Ecology names new Office of Chehalis Basin Director
Washington Department of Ecology Director Laura Watson has named Jeff Zenk as director of the Office of Chehalis Basin. This office oversees the state’s efforts to reduce catastrophic flood damage and restore aquatic habitat in the Chehalis River Basin, the state’s second-largest river basin. Zenk has worked at Ecology since 2019, serving as the agency’s Southwest Region communications manager…
October 27, 2023
The Chronicle:
Erosion management at Haul Road
In 2022, the Port of Grays Harbor engaged the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority and the OCB to support an erosion management project along Haul Road, which contains critical industrial-scale water infrastructure that supports major facilities such as Grays Harbor Energy’s power plant at the Satsop Business Park. While long-term planning was underway to address this erosion issue, near-record flooding significantly worsened erosion…
October 13, 2023
The Chronicle:
Fish and flooding: Tabletop exercise considers Chehalis Basin Strategy, which might be finalized by late 2026
What could a long-term strategy for the Chehalis River Basin’s communities and ecosystems look like? Though a plan will not be finalized for roughly three years, that was the focus of discussion during two days of Chehalis Basin Board meetings last week. Board members were asked to come up with a list of different packages of scenarios for flood control, mitigation and aquatic species protection in the basin…
September 29, 2023
The Chronicle:
Improving fish passage on Middle Fork Wildcat Creek in Grays Harbor County
This project to restore aquatic species habitat is located on the Middle Fork Wildcat Creek in Grays Harbor County. For years, undersized culverts on the creek have prevented resident and migratory species such as coho salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout from reaching important habitat for rearing and spawning. Wildcat Creek, located north of McCleary, is a tributary of Cloquallum Creek, which feeds into the Chehalis River...
September 15, 2023
The Chronicle:
Pump station paves way for economic revitalization, flood protection in Grays Harbor County
Pump stations provide an important infrastructure solution for communities facing chronic flooding. Offering major return on investment, long-standing flood protection and relatively quick construction time, pump stations are a key element of the Chehalis Basin Strategy’s suite of local flood projects implemented by the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority. The Ramer Street pump station project had two key aims…
August 25, 2023
The Chronicle:
Log jacks protect wastewater treatment plant in Grays Harbor County
Over the course of 2018 and 2019, more than 220 “log jacks” were placed in front of the Montesano Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to protect the treatment plant from the oncoming Wynoochee River and prevent the treatment plant’s catastrophic failure from the river undermining and toppling the facility and preventing a public health and environmental disaster from raw sewage being dumped on downriver communities…
August 4, 2023
The Chronicle:
Chehalis-Centralia Airport pump station replacement
The Chehalis-Centralia Airport pump station replacement project involved the design and replacement of the World War II-era airport pump station located at the northeast corner of the Chehalis-Centralia Airport property. During the 2007 flood event, the pump house was submerged, failed to operate and was subsequently shut down. This in turn necessitated breaching the existing airport levee to let the water out…
July 22, 2023
The Daily World:
Erosion project protects key energy infrastructure
When the Washington Public Power Supply System built a gravel road 50 years ago on the soft river deposits on the south bank of the Chehalis, it was almost certainly not among the most glaring mistakes the agency made in constructing a nuclear power plant that would never come to fruition. But today the old plant serves new industry, and the road is critical to infrastructure. Its precarious placement…
January 26, 2023
Washington State Department of Ecology:
Pilot projects designed to curb bank erosion showing success in Chehalis River Basin
Since 2013, the Office of Chehalis Basin has invested $98.8 million for 39 projects to reduce flood-related damage and 68 projects to restore aquatic species habitat in the Chehalis River basin. There are eight other basin projects that have dual flood-reduction and ecosystem benefits. For these integrated projects, OCB has invested $1.6 million to acquire property, develop a streamflow gauge plan, create a demonstration project…