The request for proposals went out in the fall of 2022 and the contract was awarded to Geum Environmental Consulting in December 2022, according to FWP.

The consultant spent the last year and a half collecting and compiling data, conducting site visits, touring the watershed, meeting with landowners, according to Jason Mullen, FWP’s Region 4 fisheries program manager.

The consultant will present the results of their assessment, which was focused on identifying opportunities to improve the health of the watershed, gather feedback and discuss next steps, Mullen said.

The final report will be completed by the end of the year, he said.

The final report will identity issue common throughout the watershed plus restoration opportunities, Mullen said.

“Currently, watershed restoration projects are funded infrequently and based on opportunity but may not provide the most benefit to the watershed compared to other unknown projects. This  basin-wide study would take a systematic approach to identify areas of degradation, solutions to improve it, and prioritize them based on how much of a benefit the project would have to improving the health of the  watershed. The basin-wide assessment would serve as a guiding document for future watershed restoration efforts and result in more efficient use of Smith River Corridor Enhancement Account funds and other restoration funds,” according to the RFP that FWP issued in 2022 for the study. “Future  implementation of projects will be voluntary and contingent on landowner support.”

FWP photo