- Situation Assessment, 2018 - 2019
Changes to the Spirit Lake/Toutle-Cowlitz River System from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens put the region at ongoing risk of moderate and potentially catastrophic flooding, due to the buildup of sediment. Engineering measures from the 1980s to reduce flooding risks now need costly repairs or modifications, presenting an opportunity to re-evaluate risk management strategies.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) asked the Center in 2018 to conduct a situation assessment for long-term risk management, given the different economic, cultural, and social priorities of regional stakeholders and the respective roles of federal, tribal, state, and local authorities and other groups in the region.
The Situation Assessment for the Long-Term Management of Spirit Lake/Toutle-Cowlitz River System report summarizes an interview-based assessment process. The assessment explored prospects for a collaborative system-level entity to identify resources and additional information needed to inform long-term management decisions. The assessment found conditions favorable to a collaborative process.
- SLTCRC Declaration of Cooperation (approved December 2021)
Final Draft Declaration of Cooperation_12-09-21
Final Draft Declaration of Cooperation_all signatures (with the exception of NOAA) (Note: NOAA fisheries signature, coming soon)
Original Signatures (before combining into one document):
- City of Castle Rock
- City of Kelso
- City of Longview
- Cowlitz Conservation District
- Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
- Cowlitz County
- Cowlitz Indian Tribe
- WA Department of Ecology
- US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Cowlitz County PUD
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Lower Columbia Fish Recover Board (LCFRB)
- Consolidated Diking District #1
- Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG)
- U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE)
- U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
- WA Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
- WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (coming soon)
- SLTCRC Operating Protocols (approved on March 10, 2022)
- Annual and Quarterly - Summary Reports
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- Current Participants
For more information:
contact project lead facilitator:
or the project co-facilitator
Spirit Lake/Toutle-Cowlitz Rivers Collaborative, April 2021 – Present
Representatives of the U.S. congressional delegation, Cowlitz Tribe, and state and federal agencies expressed support for a collaborative approach to long-term sediment management and related issues. The watershed-wide consortium is intended to benefit current and long-term planning efforts to address sediment and land management, public safety, and other important issues.
The first phase of the Collaborative was very successful leading to the signing of a Declaration of Cooperation and the establishment of operating protocols. (see above)
Meeting Materials & Schedule
See below for past meeting materials and upcoming meeting dates through the end of the calendar year. All meetings will be held in in Cowlitz County and will have a remote attendance option. See information on each meeting below.
If you are interested in the work of the Collaborative and would like to observe a meeting, please contact Kara Whitman at kmwhitman@wsu.edu.
- Steering Committee Meetings
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Meeting Summaries
Steering Committee
- SLTCRC_2022_08_01_Steering C_Meeting-Notes
- SLTCRC_2022_09_16_ Steering C_Meeting-Notes
- SLTCRC_2022_10_21_Steering C_Meeting-Notes
- SLTCRC_2022_11_18_ Steering C_ Meeting-Notes
- SLTCRC_2022_12_16_ Steering Committee Meeting- notes
- SLTCRC 2023_01_20_STR COMM Meeting-Notes
- SLTCRC Steering Committee _2023_02_17_notes
- SLTCRC Steering Committee _2023_03_03_notes
- SLTCRC STR COMM_2023_04_21_Meeting-Notes
- SLTCRC Steering committee_2023_05_19_ meeting summary
- 6.16.2023-SLTCRC-Steering-Committee-MtgSum
- SLTCRC Steering Committee meeting summary 7.21.23
- SLTCRC Steering Cmte notes_08-18-23
- September STG Cmte- coming soon
Finance Committee
- SLTCRC_2022_01_24_FWG mtg
- SLTCRC Finance Work Group_2-7-22 mtg summary
- SLTCRC Finance Work Group mtg 3.21.22 DRAFT revised 3.29.22
- DRAFT Summary Finance committee meeting 4.18.22_ draft
- October 12, 2023 Field Day
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Spirit Lake/Toutle-Cowlitz River Collaborative Field Day TourOctober 12th, 2023Please register for the field tour here:
Purpose: Whether their focus is to educate, restore fish habitat, or protect public safety, several local entities are working at ground zero to address the challenges created when Mt St Helens erupted in 1980. The purpose of this tour is to provide an in-person opportunity to hear from some of the “boots on the ground” organizations involved with addressing flood, sediment, and economic issues across the region. In doing so, we will promote a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in the MSH-Toutle-Cowlitz system. Please register for the event by answering the following questions to give us an idea of how many will be in attendance.
10 am Meet at Harry Gardner park in Toutle. Introductions if necessary. Site tour led by Brice Crayne from Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group (LCFEG). 11/11:15 am Leave Harry Gardner park for the Science and Learning Center (SLC) at Coldwater. (45 Minute Drive) 12 pm Arrive at SLC. Eat lunch – brown bag, people bring their own. Mount Saint Helens Institute (MSHI) and LCFEG provide drinks. 12:30 pm MSHI site tour at SLC. 1 pm MSHI welcome and quick overview of their operations. Agency check-in inside SLC. 1:30 pm Presentations: Jim Mallett/Darin Haupt (sediment management); Colin Thorne (tentative) 2:15 pm Possible Presentation: WSDOT/USDA USFS Update on SR 504 Landslide Progress 2:30 pm Adjourn 2:30 pm OPTIONAL if WSDOT can lead: Site tour at 504 landslide
- September 14, 2023
The September 14, 2023 meeting will be held at the Port of Longview from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees
Location: Port of Longview, 10 International Way, Longview, WA.
Meeting Materials:
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on September 7th, 2023 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
- August 10, 2023
The August 10, 2023 meeting will be held at the Port of Longview from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees
Location: Port of Longview, 10 International Way, Longview, WA.
Approved Meeting Summary: SLTCRC 2023_Aug_10 Meeting Summary FINAL
Meeting Materials:
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- SLTCRC 2023_08_10_Meeting Agenda Draft_V2
- SLTCRC_2023_07_20 Meeting summary REVIEW DRAFT
- Other meeting materials
- SLTCRC SEEC Workgroup2023_21_07_DRAFT Meeting Summary
- SLTCRC FRBS_2023_07_13_ Meting Notes Draft revised
- SLTCRC Field Day Agenda 2023 (draft)
- SLTCRC 2023_08_10_Mtg Slides
- 2023.08.10 SLTCRC (Drone Survey Presentations Slides, George Fornes)
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on August 3rd, 2023 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
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- July 20, 2023
The July 20, 2023 meeting will be held at the Port of Longview from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees
Location: Port of Longview, 10 International Way, Longview, WA.
Meeting Materials:
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- SLTCTC_7-20-23_Agenda Draft
- Meeting Summaries
- Other materials: coming soon
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on July , 13th, 2023 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
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- June 15, 2023
The June 15, 2023 meeting will be held at the Port of Longview Commission Room from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees.
Location: Port of Longview, Commission Room. 10 International Way, Longview, WA.
Meeting Materials:
- SLTCTC_2023_15_06-23_Agenda_V2
- Meeting Summaries
- Other meeting documents
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on June , 8th, 2023 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
- April 19, 2023 Meeting
The April 19th, 2023 meeting will be held at the Longview Training Room from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees.
City of Longview, Training Room, Longview City Hall 2nd floor 1525 Broadway Longview, WA 98632
Meeting Materials:
- SLTCTC_4-19-23_Agenda_V2
- 4-19-23 Meeting Slides
- DECISION: Spirit Lake Workshop Summary DRAFT
- Dennis Weber_Report on SLTCRS Collaborative Workshop
- Project Proposal: SLTCRC and LCC_EcoTourism Initiative
- Potential Funding Opportunity: Building Formal Collaboratives to Leverage Federal Funding
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on April , 12th, 2023 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
- Workshop: March 21-22, 2023
The SLTCRC Workshop will take place on Tuesday, March 21st and Wednesday, March 22nd at the Cowlitz County Event Center. If you would like to register for the Workshop, please contact Chris Page (c.page@wsu.edu) or Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu).
Workshop Goals:
- Hear about and discuss sediment management efforts: past, present, and future.
- Generate ideas and potential partnerships for projects that address multiple benefits.
- Build understanding of the operating environment in the watershed, how the river system works.
- Establish short-term workgroups focused on specific interests or geographic areas.
Workshop Materials:
- February 9, 2023
The February 9th, 2023 meeting will be held at the Longview Training Room from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees.
City of Longview, Training Room, Longview City Hall 2nd floor 1525 Broadway Longview, WA 98632
Meeting Materials:
- SLTCTC_2023_02_09_Agenda v2
- SLTCRC Slides for 2.9.23 mtg
- Materials for “Confronting paradoxical challenges” activity.
- SLTCRC Workshop Agenda_draft_01-27-23
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on February 2nd, 2023 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details
- January 12, 2023
The January 12th, 2023 meeting will be held at the Longview Training Room from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees.
City of Longview, Training Room, Longview City Hall 2nd floor 1525 Broadway Longview, WA 98632
Meeting Materials:
- Draft SLTCRC Agenda 1.12.23
- SLTCRC_2023_01_12_Meeting-Notes
- Decision Documents:
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on January 5, 2023 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details
- December 7th, 2022
The December 7th meeting will be held at the Longview Training Room from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees.
City of Longview, Training Room, Longview City Hall 2nd floor 1525 Broadway Longview, WA 98632
Meeting Materials:
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- SLTCRC_12_07__22 Agenda_DRAFT
- STCRSC Slides 12-7-22 mtg
- DRAFT Meeting summary from November SLTCRC meeting
- 11-18-22 Steering Comm. Meeting Notes-DRAFT
- 12.5.22 V_SLTCRC DRAFT WORK PLAN
- Project Tracking Draft Documents (Please review and provide edits/feedback to Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) Decision at the January meeting.
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on November 30, 2022 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details
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- November 9, 2022
The November 9th meeting will be held at the Longview Training Room from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. WebEx will be available for remote attendees.
City of Longview, Training Room, Longview City Hall 2nd floor 1525 Broadway Longview, WA 98632
Meeting Materials:
- 11.09.22 Spirit Lake Meeting Summary DRAFT
- SLTCRC_11_09__22 Agenda_DRAFT
- 11-9-2022 SLTCRC Sign in Sheet (in person only, does not include WebEx attendees, see notes for this)
- October 2022 SLTCRC Tour survey results
- SLTCRC DRAFT WORK PLAN_.November 2022 edits
- STCRSC Slides 11-9-22 mtg
- Project Tracking
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on November 2, 2022 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- October 12, 2022 (Tour)
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- SLTCRC Oct 12 tour Attendees
- October 12th SLTCRC Tour Detailed Itinerary
- Images from tour: (coming soon)
- September 8, 2022
The September 8th meeting will be held in person from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Cowlitz County Museum at 405 Allen St. Kelso WA.
Meeting Materials:
- SLTCRC_09_8__22 Agenda_draft2
- SLTCRC Tour options_A. B.and C
- STCRSC Slides 9-8-22 mtg_v2 (1)
- SLTCRC DRAFT WORK PLAN_Aug.2022
- 09.08.22 SLTCRC Meeting Summary DRAFT V2
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on June 9, 2022 *.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- August 11th, 2022
The August 11th meeting will be held via WebEx from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. .
Meeting Materials:
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on August 4th, 2022 *. If you did not receive an email, please email Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu)
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- June 16, 2022
The June 16th meeting will be held in person from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Cowlitz County Museum at 405 Allen St. Kelso WA.
Meeting Materials:
- SLTCRC_06_16_22 Agenda_DRAFT
- SLTCRC DRAFT WORK PLAN edits made in 5-11-22 mtg
- SLTCRC 5_11_22 Meeting Summary
- STCRSC Slides 6-16-22 mtg
- 06.16.22 SLTCRC Meeting Summary DRAFT
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on June 9, 2022 *.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- May 11, 2022
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Meeting Materials:
- SLTCRC_05_11_22 Agenda_draft
- SLTCRC_Steering Committee Role_draft
- SLTCRC mtg summary 4.14.22_DRAFT
- DRAFT Summary Finance committee meeting 4.18.22_ draft
- The draft work plan spreadsheet has been sent out over email.
- Meeting slides
- 05.11.22 SLTCRC Meeting Summary DRAFT
In-Person Location and WebEx information sent out to participants on or before May 5, 2022 *.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Maggie Counihan (maggie.counihan@wsu.edu) for details.
- April 14, 2022
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Meeting Materials
- SLTCRC_04_14_22 Agenda_draft v2
- 4/14/2022 Meeting Slides
- SLTCRC Finance Work Group mtg 3.21.22 DRAFT revised 3.29.22 (1)
- SLTCRC March 10th, 2022 Meeting Summary
- SLTCRC Work Plan 2022-2025 DRAFT v2 with prioritization questions
- Screening Tool (image above)
WebEx information sent out to participants on April 7, 2022 *.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- March 10, 2022
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Meeting Materials
- SLTCRC_03_10_22 Agenda_draft
- SLTCR 3.10 DRAFT mtg summary
- Meeting Summaries
- Draft SLTCRC fact sheet_V3 02_16_22
- SLTCRC_DRAFT OP.PROTOCOLS_3.3.22
- Sediment Mgt_Toutle-Cowlitz system_outline for 03-10-22_FINAL
- Data Work Group Presentations
WebEx information sent out to participants on March 3, 2022*.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- February 10, 2022
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Meeting Materials
- SLTCRC_02_10_22 Agenda_draft
- SLTCRC_DRAFT OP.PROTOCOLS_for_2-10-22
- Draft Meeting Summary 1/13/2022 mtg
- SLTCRC Finance committee Summary 1.24.22 mtg
- STCRSC Slides 2-10-22 mtg (1)
- SLTCRC Draft summary 2.10.22 Mtg
WebEx information sent out to participants on February 3rd, 2022 *.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- January 13, 2022
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Meeting Materials
- SLTCRC_01_13_22 Agenda_draft2
- Final Draft Declaration of Cooperation_12-09-21 changes accepted
- SLTCRC_Operating Procedures_Draft_for review_Dec.2021
- Draft Notes from the 12.9.21 Meeting
- STCRSC Slides 1-13-22 mtg
- Presentation Slides “Watershed Recovery in the Toutle Basin” 1.13.22
- DRAFT Mtg Notes 1.13.22_SLTCRC
WebEx information sent out to participants on January 6th, 2022*.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- December 9, 2021
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Meeting Materials
- SLTCRC_12_9_21 Meeting Draft Agenda
- Meeting Notes from the November 10th meeting
- Meeting Slides for 12.9.21
- Final Draft Declaration of Cooperation 12/2/21
- SLTCRC_Operating Protocols_Draft_12-02-.2021
- Sediment mgt solutions + issues organized for breakout room session
- DRAFT Mtg Notes 12.9.21_SLTCRC
WebEx information sent out to participants on December 2nd, 2021*.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- November 10, 2021
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Meeting Materials
- SLTCRC_11_10_21 Agenda_revised
- Draft Summary Notes from the October 14th Meeting
- STCRSC Slides 11-10-21 mtg
- Missions and Mandates DRAFT spreadsheet (Excel File)
- Draft Meeting Notes 11.10.21 MTG
WebEx information sent out to participants on November 14th, 2021*.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- October 14, 2021
Meeting materials
- SLTCRC_10_14_21 Draft Agenda draft
- Draft Summary from the September 9th, 3021 Meeting (See September meeting Folder)
- 10_07_21 Draft Declaration of Cooperation
- STCRSC Meeting Slides 10-14-21
- SLTC_Collab_USACE-14Oct2021 (US Army Corp Slides)
DRAFT Summary Notes from the meeting:
WebEx information sent out to participants on October 7th, 2021*.
*If you wish to attend this meeting, but do not have the WebEx attendance information please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for details.
- September 9, 2021
Meeting Materials
- SLTCRC_09-09-21 agenda-draft
- 9.9.21 Declaration of Cooperation_all comments
- STCRSC Slides 09-09-21 meeting
- SLTCR Meeting DRAFT Notes 9.9.21
Examples of Declaration’s of Cooperation for Reference
- Declaration of Cooperation Tillamook Basin Flooding Reduction Project
- Declaration of Cooperation Lower Columbia Solutions Group
- Historic Columbia River Highway Collaborative Declaration of Cooperation
*Please contact Kara Whitman (kmwhitman@wsu.edu) for WebEx information if you wish to attend the meeting.
- July 8, 2021
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Meeting Materials:
- June 2, 2021
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Meeting Materials:
- April 28, 2021
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Meeting Materials:
- Agenda (pdf)
- Meeting Notes (pdf)
- PowerPoint Presentation (pdf)
- USDA & USFS YouTube Video: “Mount St. Helens Eruption, Spirit Lake and Toutle River Watershed”
- Information Working Group
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Meeting Summaries
Other materials of interest
Resources
- The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018. A Decision Framework for Managing the Spirit Lake and Toutle River System at Mount St. Helens.
- Grant, Major, and Lewis, 2020. The Geologic, Geomorphic, and Hydrologic Context Underlying Options for Long-Term Management of the Spirit Lake Outlet Near Mount St. Helens, Washington (pdf).
- Grant, Major, Mosbrucker, and Sweeney, 2020. A Multidecade Analysis of Fluvial Geomorphic Evolution of the Spirit Lake Blockage, Mount St. Helens, Washington.
- USACE Long Term Sediment Management Plan
- Spirit Lake Toutle Cowlitz River Flyover Video
- Cowlitz Count Mission/Vision/Goals for the SLTCRC 9-29-2021
- Article: Removing Sediment to Restore Wetlands Clears Revenue Paths