A new program administered by the Watershed Alliance of Southwest Washington with support from the City of Washougal and Clark County hopes to help homeowners create a more beautiful, healthier lower Washougal River corridor.
The Watershed Alliance is offering a voluntary home owner incentive program that provides technical and financial assistance to install several Best Management Practices that will improve water quality in the lower Washougal. These Practices are Shoreline Native Landscaping, Upland Native Landscaping and Rain Gardens. Homeowners can be reimbursed for a part of the overall cost of installing a practice. Funding is provided through the Clark County Clean Water Restoration Fund.
Tom Dwyer, Program Coordinator with the Watershed Alliance says, “Our goal is to help homeowners improve their property in a way that enhances water quality.”
The lower Washougal flows through the city of Washougal and much of its shoreline is bordered by private homeowner’s property. This stretch of the river has little remaining forest cover and impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways and manicured lawns lead to more storm water runoff into the river.
Rob Charles, Washougal City Engineer said, “This program is an innovative way to help riverside home owners improve their property and at the same time help water quality in the lower Washougal River.”
Contact Tom Dwyer (tom@vancouverwatersheds.org), visit the Watershed Alliance website (www.thewatershedalliance.org) or call 360-852-9189 for more information and a free site visit.