Conserving land along our waterways protects important habitat and helps keep our rivers healthy, clean, and more resilient to drought. Riparian Protection projects conserve and restore fresh and saltwater habitat while protecting fish habitat. In doing so, the grants help provide our families, farms, and fisheries with clean water across the state.
Mason County will use this grant to protect the 500-acre Decker Creek riparian-wetland complex. Decker Creek is an important salmon-producing stream and is used for spawning and rearing by coho, summer and fall Chinook, chum, steelhead, and cutthroat. The land also is home to western toad, great blue heron, pileated woodpecker, and a large elk herd. The land is scheduled for logging.