Grays River work group hears plans

The Grays River Work Group sponsored by the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board met January 23 to hear proposals from five different environmental firms regarding projects in the Grays River Basin.

Those firms included Inter-fluve, Tetra Tech, FHerrera, Anchor and R2 Resource Consultants.

Property owners, including the Gorley family, Department of Fish and Wildlife employees and others were present to listen and react. The firms proposed their plan for two projects on the Grays River.

The project for the Gorley Springs would design and construct restoration at the Gorley property site. The other project is below the Gorley property to the mouth of the river at Grays Bay to develop a restoration plan and design for the remainder of the river.

At the conclusion of the proposals, community members debated the best turn of action to take.

Amy Ammer, Habitat Restoration Specialist for the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST), asked the group to carefully look at each of the proposals. She said that they are all qualified and capable firms, but CREST wants someone with previous experience.

Karen Bertroch, director of the Wahkiakum Community Foundation and Grays River resident, pointed out that all of the firms came in with competitive bids but she reminded the group that they are on a limited budget.

One resident asked what would be their option if they disagreed with the direction the hired firm was taking. Ammer said they could end the contract.

As a result of discussions, CREST is in negotiations with the Anchor firm regarding the Gorley property project. Negotiations may take a couple weeks, Ammer said.