3628 South 35th Street
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`Tacoma, Washington 98409-3192
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`TACOMA PUBLIC UTI LITIES
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`April 7, 2025
`
`ELECTRONIC FILING
`
`Debbie-Anne Reese, Secretary
`Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
`888 First Street NE
`Washington, DC 20426
`
`SUBJECT:
`
`2024 Annual Report: Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2016
`Settlement Agreement License Article 24 (Appendix A of the Order Approving
`Settlement and Issuing New License for the Cowlitz River Project), and Order
`Modifying and Approving Final Wildlife Management Plan Dated January 26, 1999
`
`Dear Secretary Reese:
`
`On January 26, 1999, the City of Tacoma, Department of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma Power)
`was ordered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to file a report annually by May 1
`describing its implementation of the Final Wildlife Management Plan for the Cowlitz River Hydroelectric
`Project. In addition, this report is required by Settlement Agreement License Article 24 in the License
`issued and effective July 18, 2003. The Cowlitz Wildlife Area Annual Report for 2024 (January 1 to
`December 31, 2024) is attached. The report is authored by the Washington Department of Fish and
`Wildlife (WDFW) and is reviewed by Tacoma Power as described in Settlement Agreement Article 24.
`
`The 1999 order requires that Tacoma Power submit any significant changes to the management plan for
`the Commission’s approval. No significant changes were proposed to the plan in the past year. Activities
`for 2024 that meet the requirements of the current plan are detailed in the report. It should be noted that
`WDFW is currently developing a new management plan for the Cowlitz Wildlife Area; Tacoma expects to
`provide a draft of this plan to FERC in the later portion of 2025.
`
`On March 4, 2025, a draft copy of the Annual Report was sent to the Lewis County Commissioners and
`the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a 30-day review and comment. No comments were received by the
`April 4, 2025 due date. The transmittal letter is included in the enclosed report as Appendix 5, Record of
`Consultation.
`
`If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Eric Russell, Resource Lands
`Coordinator at (253) 502-8137 or Teresa Loo, Wildlife and Lands Manager at (253) 392-5136.
`
`Sincerely,
`
`Matt Bleich
`Natural Resources Manager
`
`Enclosure
`
`cc:
`
`Chad Chalmers, Tacoma Power (e-report)
`Erich Gaedeke, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Portland Office
`Jeffery Garnett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (e-report)
`Sandra Jonker, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (e-report)
`Lewis County Commissioners (e-report)
`Teresa Loo, Tacoma Power (e-report)
`Richard Vanderlip, Cowlitz Wildlife Area (e-report)
`
`for Matt Bleich
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`2024 Annual Report
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`COWLITZ WILDLIFE AREA
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`Submitted by May 1, 2025 in accordance with the
`Settlement Agreement Relating to Wildlife for the
`Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2016
`
`By
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`Richard Vanderlip
`Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
`Cowlitz Wildlife Area Manager
`
`Nicholas Steveson
`Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
`Cowlitz Wildlife Area Assistant Manager
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`Table of Contents
`
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`FERC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
`MITIGATION HISTORY
`MANAGEMENT PLANNING, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
`Cowlitz River Unit (formerly Cowlitz Trout Hatchery Unit):
`Swofford Unit
`Mossyrock Unit:
`Kosmos Unit:
`Davis Lake Unit:
`Peterman Ridge Unit:
`Kiona Creek Unit:
`Spears Unit:
`Buffer Zones:
`COWLITZ WILDLIFE AREA: STATUS OF 2024 PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES
`Table 1. Status of 2024 Activities
`Table 2. 2024 Unplanned Actions and Activities
`Table 3. Cowlitz Wildlife Area Operations and Maintenance Activities
`2024 Other Actions and Activities
`APPENDIX
`Appendix 1 – Cowlitz Wildlife Area Goals, Objectives, 2025 Planned Activities & Performance Measures
`Table 4. 2025 Planned Activities and Performance Measures
`Appendix 2 – 2024 Weed and Brush Management Report
`Appendix 3 – Operations and Maintenance Revenues and Expenditures -- 2024
`Appendix 4 – Images of Select 2024 Activities
`Appendix 5 – Peterman Ridge Vegetation Management Recommendations
`Appendix 6 – Status of Currently Identified Boundary Issues -- 2024
`Appendix 7 – Record of Consultation
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`INTRODUCTION
`
`The Cowlitz Wildlife Area (“CWA” or “Wildlife Area”) consists of 14,217 acres of lands owned by Tacoma Power
`and managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) as wildlife mitigation for the Cowlitz
`River Hydroelectric Project (Cowlitz Project or Project), identified as Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
`(FERC or Commission) Project No. 2016. An additional 1,859 acres of wildlife habitat is protected from
`development through a conservation easement. Almost all mitigation lands are adjacent to Mayfield and Riffe Lakes,
`the reservoirs formed by Mayfield and Mossyrock dams, respectively. The only exceptions are the 319 acre Davis
`Lake Unit east of Morton, the 308 acre Cowlitz Trout Hatchery Unit adjacent to the Cowlitz River, the 434 acre
`Spears Unit south of Randle, and the 411 acre Kiona Creek Unit west of Randle off Savio Road. All the fee title
`lands are within the Project Boundary of the Cowlitz Project.
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`Partial legal description: T11N, R4E, Sec 1-4 & 11-12; T11N, R5E, Sec 1-7 & 11-12; T12N, R1E, Sec 24 & 29-32;
`T12N, R2E, Sec 1-2, 9-11, 16, 19-21 & 28-30; T12N, R3E, Sec 6-16, 22-24 & 26-27; T12N, R4E, Sec 7-8, 10, 12-
`16, 18-20, 22-30 & 32-36; T12N, R5E, Sec 7, 19-22 & 27-34; T12N, R6E, Sec 13; T12N, R7E, Sec 18, 20-21.
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`Partial legal description (Conservation Easement): T12 N, R4E, Sec 17 – 21 & 28.
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`The area has a maritime climate characterized by cool, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The area receives
`approximately 70 inches of annual precipitation, the majority of which comes as rain from November through
`March. Summers are usually cool and dry, with less than 5% of the annual precipitation falling between the months
`of June and August. Annual snowfall on the Wildlife Area generally does not exceed 4 to 8 inches, while at higher
`elevations in the Cascades snowfall often exceeds 10 feet. During the summer months average daytime temperatures
`are in the 70s (Fahrenheit) with nights cooling to the 40s. Winter temperatures range from the 20s to low 50s.
`
`Commercial timberlands, private farms, residential areas, and developed recreational parks surround the CWA. The
`economies of the nearby communities are heavily dependent on the timber industry and, increasingly, tourism. The
`majority of the forested lands on the CWA were logged prior to dam construction. Most of these lands were
`reforested or allowed to re-vegetate naturally and now support hardwood and coniferous forests.
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`FERC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
`
`In the Order dated January 26, 1999, FERC modified and approved the final Wildlife Management Plan for the
`Cowlitz Wildlife Area (Plan). As a requirement of that order, Tacoma Power is directed to prepare an annual report
`by May 1 of each calendar year. FERC directed that the annual report include a description of the implementation of
`the Plan and contain any significant changes to the Plan that will be submitted for FERC approval.
`
`The WDFW is responsible for implementing the Plan on Project lands under the terms and conditions of the
`Settlement Agreement Relating to Wildlife for the Cowlitz Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2016 (Wildlife
`Settlement Agreement). This annual report provided by WDFW to Tacoma Power fulfills the reporting requirement
`under the Wildlife Settlement Agreement.
`
`This annual report describes lands acquired, summarizes the mitigation and enhancement habitat projects performed
`annually, the expected benefits to fish, wildlife and/or the public, and the status of those projects at the end of the
`reporting year. Also included is an accounting of revenues and expenditures in accordance with generally accepted
`accounting principles, along with a listing of funds currently held in accounts where Tacoma Power funds are
`deposited. This report fulfills the WDFW reporting requirement for 2024.
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`MITIGATION HISTORY
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`FERC issued a 50-year license for the Cowlitz Project on December 28, 1951. The Project includes Mossyrock and
`Mayfield dams on the Cowlitz River, at river miles 65 and 52, respectively. The two reservoirs formed as a result of
`this Project inundate approximately 14,080 acres.
`
`On November 17, 1964, FERC issued an Order Further Amending License (Major) for the Cowlitz Project, at which
`time Article 37 was incorporated into the Project license. Article 37 of the license authorized the Commission to
`require Tacoma Power to make changes to Project facilities and operation for the conservation and development of
`fish and wildlife resources. Article 37 was regarded by the state and federal wildlife resource agencies as a mandate
`for Tacoma Power to mitigate Project related wildlife impacts.
`
`Beginning as early as 1966, the WDFW and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in conjunction with
`Tacoma Power, studied the Project's impacts to wildlife habitat. Over the years, a number of wildlife enhancement
`measures were mutually implemented on Project lands under the direction of the resource agencies.
`
`In the early 1980s, Tacoma Power began funding full-time WDFW employees to help plan additional and more
`intensive wildlife habitat enhancement programs. A series of intensively managed on-Project sites were developed
`on approximately 1,475 acres. These sites, in conjunction with other less intensively managed Project lands that
`were set aside for wildlife, totaled approximately 4,555 acres. Tacoma Power funded the personnel, equipment, and
`supplies necessary to operate and maintain this program.
`
`In 1985, at the request of the WDFW and USFWS, Tacoma Power conducted a Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP)
`study on the Project lands to further assess the impact of the Cowlitz Project on wildlife. When Phase I of the HEP
`study was completed in 1986, a ledger of losses and gains in habitat units attributable to the Cowlitz Project was
`developed.
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`In the following years, alternative wildlife mitigation packages were discussed. On January 5, 1993 a mutual
`agreement was reached on a package of activities Tacoma Power would undertake to mitigate for wildlife impacts.
`The resulting Settlement Agreement Relating to Wildlife for the Cowlitz Hydroelectric Project (Wildlife Settlement
`Agreement) identifies and credits existing wildlife mitigation undertaken by Tacoma Power and identifies new and
`additional projects Tacoma Power will undertake to meet requirements of the Wildlife Settlement Agreement. The
`Wildlife Settlement Agreement was approved and made part of the operating license by FERC on July 17, 1998. A
`wildlife management plan for the CWA was prepared for Tacoma Power by WDFW and approved by FERC on
`January 26, 1999. A new license for the Cowlitz Project was made effective July 18, 2003 and Settlement
`Agreement License Article 24 continues the Wildlife Settlement Agreement obligations for the term of the new
`license, ending July 18, 2037.
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`WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MISSION STATEMENT
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`“Preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife
`recreational and commercial opportunities”.
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`MANAGEMENT PLANNING, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
`
`Management planning on WDFW-owned or managed land, including the CWA, is an ongoing, multifaceted,
`adaptive process that addresses emerging issues and allows for the annual planning of projects to meet Wildlife Area
`objectives. Annual planning is guided by the Cowlitz Wildlife Area Management Plan which identifies WDFW and
`Tacoma Power goals and objectives specific to the Wildlife Area. The Management Plan is updated on a regular
`basis as projects are completed, new ones are developed, and emerging issues arise. In addition, the planning process
`includes a review of the purpose for purchasing the area, a review of existing habitat conditions and species present,
`and public participation. Public involvement is by way of a Wildlife Area Advisory Committee (WAAC) made up of
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`representatives from various stakeholder groups representing the surrounding community. The WAAC is utilized as
`an ongoing means to identify social, cultural, and economic issues important to the people of Washington and the
`management of the Wildlife Area. The group also provides input to help resolve current and future management
`issues and conflicts. Management planning at WDFW incorporates cross-program input and review by the habitat,
`wildlife, enforcement, and fish programs. Pertinent information from existing species plans, habitat
`recommendations, watershed plans, eco-regional assessments, etc., is utilized to identify local issues and needs and
`ensure that management of the CWA is consistent with WDFW statewide and regional priorities. The CWA staff
`also meets regularly with Tacoma Power staff and communicates frequently with them to ensure that CWA planning
`is consistent with the terms of the Wildlife Settlement Agreement and FERC guidance. An adaptive approach is
`necessary to ensure that objectives are met utilizing the best available science and best management practices.
`
`Management objectives for the CWA are to preserve habitat and species diversity for both fish and wildlife
`resources, maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species, protect and restore native plant
`communities, and provide diverse opportunities for the public to encounter, utilize, and appreciate wildlife and wild
`areas.
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`In addition to the aforementioned WDFW goals and objectives (see Appendix 1), Tacoma Power’s FERC license
`requirements, the Cowlitz Wildlife Area Management Plan, and the Management Plan updates are used to guide all
`management decisions.
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`MANAGEMENT HISTORY
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`Cowlitz River Unit (formerly Cowlitz Trout Hatchery Unit):
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`In 2023, as part of the process to develop a new 10-year plan for the Wildlife Area, a new unit was defined. The
`new unit, known as the Cowlitz River Unit, combines three parcels that lie adjacent to the Cowlitz River
`downstream of the Mayfield Dam. The parcels are the 308-acre Cowlitz Trout Hatchery (formerly known as the
`Cowlitz Trout Hatchery Unit), the 5-acre Brim Bar, and the 31-acre Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. The rationale for
`creating this unit is to facilitate accurate mapping, provide consistent public information and to facilitate reporting
`activities that occur on these parcels. Prior to this change, the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery was not captured within
`the annual report and Brim Bar was not accurately depicted on public maps as an access area.
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`The Cowlitz Trout Hatchery parcel (CTH) lies adjacent to the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery. The CTH parcel is managed
`for black-tailed deer and riparian forest habitats. Management has included planting and maintaining big game
`forage plots, visual screens, and installation of artificial cavity nest boxes. Scotch broom, perennial pea, and
`Canada thistle are problem weeds on the CTH and they are managed using integrated vegetation management
`techniques.
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`Also included on this parcel is a large portion of the wetland known as Oxbow Lake. At one time, there was a large
`heron rookery adjacent to the lake. In the spring of 2018 ground based reconnaissance surveys were conducted
`within the area to determine if the rookery was still active. There were no indications of nesting activity and it is
`believed that the colony has failed. The area is still used heavily by herons and other wetland wildlife. Oxbow Lake
`on the CWA is managed for cavity nesting duck habitat. Oxbow Lake typically has the highest populations of
`wood ducks on the CWA.
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`Brim Bar is a small parcel on the Cowlitz River just east of the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery Unit. This 5-acre parcel is
`managed for recreational access in the form of salmon and steelhead fishing. It has a small parking lot for access to
`the river, a portable toilet, and is surrounded by a typical riparian forest.
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`The 31-acre Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery parcel (CSH) lies adjacent to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. The CSH parcel
`is managed for black-tailed deer and riparian forest habitats. Adjacent to but not part of the CWA managed parcel
`is a large parking area, 2-stall vault toilet, a boat ramp and ADA accessible bank fishing. The area is popular for
`salmon and steelhead fishing.
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`Swofford Unit
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`The Swofford Unit consists of a 240-acre pond known as Swofford Pond and about 337 acres of surrounding
`upland areas. The shallow pond has an average depth of about 8-10 feet. Swofford Pond was a Washington State
`steelhead/cutthroat rearing pond until 1983. This program was abandoned and the area was developed as wildlife
`habitat. A WDFW warm water fish stocking program began with the introduction of bluegill, black crappie,
`largemouth bass, channel catfish, brown bullhead, and rainbow and brown trout. The fishery opened in 1985 and
`has become very popular. The WDFW fish program continues to stock the pond with rainbow trout.
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`The Swofford Unit uplands are managed for elk, waterfowl, and black-tail deer. It is also managed for riparian
`forest habitat. Wildlife habitat developments on this Unit include approximately 20 acres of forage pastures for big
`game and geese. Snag creation and Douglas-fir, hydrophytic tree, and wetland plantings have also increased the
`Unit's habitat value. A one-way trail begins at the boat launch on the east end of the pond and follows the south
`shoreline for approximately 1.25 miles.
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`In the Wildlife Settlement Agreement, Tacoma Power retains the responsibility for aquatic weed control while the
`WDFW has responsibility within the uplands. Swofford Pond continues to have a high density of aquatic plants due
`to its shallow depth. Historically, the concern has been directed at Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum),
`a common aquatic weed listed as a Class B Select on the Lewis County Noxious Weed List. The milfoil was
`treated with a SONAR® application in 1988, 1989, and 1993. Although the eradication appeared to be complete,
`milfoil was again found in subsequent years. SONAR® treatments also negatively impacted much of the native
`wetland plant community and the dependent warm-water fishery. Winter drawdowns of water levels have also been
`used in the past in an attempt at control. An Endothall treatment of 22 acres was tried in 1996 but milfoil was again
`detected in Tacoma Power surveys in 1998 and 1999. The WDFW planted native wetland plants following the
`Endothall treatment. A second noxious weed, yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus), has been discovered in recent
`years along the edges of the shoreline. Listed as a Class C noxious weed, yellow flag iris can spread by both seed
`and rhizomes and due to the relative shallowness of the pond it has the potential to be a very aggressive invader.
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`Tacoma Power prepared an Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management (IVM) Plan in 1999 to guide future aquatic
`plant control efforts but chemical treatment was opposed by much of the fishing public. From 2006-2010, Tacoma
`Power hired a contractor to mow corridors (using an aquatic vegetation harvester) through the aquatic plant patches
`to provide a safer and less weedy experience for the recreating public. The relative abundance of milfoil varies
`significantly between years and the last mowing was conducted in 2010 because aquatic weeds did not emerge
`from the surface of the pond during the subsequent recreation seasons. The pond has been held about one foot
`higher in elevation since 2010 to optimize the effectiveness of the drum screens in the outfall structure. This may
`have helped delay the development of aquatic weeds. Work continues to define the scope of future aquatic weed
`control efforts focusing on any method that will control milfoil while retaining native aquatic plants that support
`the warm water fish resource and that do not put the fish resource in adjacent Riffe Lake at risk. Lewis County
`Noxious Weed Control is provided opportunities to provide input and to be involved in these discussions.
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`Mossyrock Unit:
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`This Unit consists of approximately 640 acres of wetland, upland, and forested habitat. The Mossyrock Unit is
`managed for black-tailed deer, riparian forest habitats, and dabbling and cavity nesting ducks. Management
`activities have included wetland creation and enhancement, farming (historically growing grains and currently hay
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`production), tree and shrub planting, snag creation, placing nest boxes, big-game forage production, blackberry
`control, and creation and maintenance of numerous timber clearings. Douglas fir and hydrophytic trees have been
`planted for cover and visual buffers. Gating field access points and ditching and placing rock barriers, where
`necessary, have addressed previous problems of wildlife harassment and poaching in this Unit. Frequent patrolling
`continues by CWA staff and WDFW enforcement.
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`Tacoma Power has maintenance responsibilities on the multi-use, non-motorized loop trail that circumnavigates the
`Mossyrock Unit of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area and they have brought the trail up to U.S. Forest Service trail
`specifications. This gives users a more defined, well-maintained trail meandering through several different habitats.
`In addition, Tacoma Power built an ADA accessible trail connecting the primitive group camp at Mossyrock Park
`to the Wildlife Area parking lot off Young Road. This trail provides a gentle, graded trail that flanks the perimeter
`of one of the forage fields. In 2010, a volunteer Eagle Scout enhanced this trail with bat boxes and turnouts. This
`gives recreational users the opportunity to see some of the area wildlife as well as connecting the Mossyrock Park
`trail with the Cowlitz Wildlife Area trail. Tacoma is responsible for the continued maintenance of the trail.
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`The ditches and small wetland ponds on this Unit provide open water habitat for winter migratory waterfowl.
`Beaver activity, as well as activity from other burrowing mammals continues to be a maintenance challenge. A
`project in 2022 to repair the water control infrastructure on Ponds 1 and 4 will restore all of the infrastructure to
`good working conditions. Projects on this Unit reflect efforts to discourage or prevent the nuisance activities of
`small mammals, provide quality habitat for wildlife, and maintain the moist soil / wetland infrastructure.
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`Kosmos Unit:
`
`The 520-acre Kosmos Unit received the most project development efforts when WDFW began management of the
`CWA. The Kosmos Unit is managed for emergent wetland, riparian forest, and riparian shrub habitats, as well as
`black-tailed deer, dabbling ducks, and bald eagles. Habitat developments have included big game food plot
`management, Douglas-fir and hydrophytic tree plantings, timber thinning, and artificial cavity nest boxes. Several
`loafing ponds were expanded to improve wintering waterfowl habitat.
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`The Kosmos Unit has a high level of non-wildlife oriented recreational use, particularly in the summer and fall
`from users attracted to the accessible shore of Riffe Lake as water levels drop. These uses include hang-gliding and
`wind-surfing staging areas, which, at current levels of use, appear to have little impact on wildlife populations and
`habitat in the area. More significant impacts occurred in the past from unregulated “dispersed” camping and off
`road vehicle (ORV) travel on the mudflats. Posting of signs and gates, creation of restricted areas for driving (on
`old road surfaces), prohibiting camping in posted areas, and targeted enforcement have reduced the negative
`impacts within this area. Occasional illegal use of ORVs in violation of posted signs and barriers occurs on this
`Unit. This activity destroys habitat resources and negatively impacts sensitive cultural sites and is referred to
`WDFW Enforcement for appropriate action. Tacoma Power also patrols the area and enforces the Cultural
`Resources Management Plan obligations. Ongoing vigilance continues to protect important natural and cultural
`resources.
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`In 1992, Tacoma Power conducted a cleanup within the Kosmos sawmill area. However, in 2019, a black tar-like
`substance was discovered seeping out of the ground within the area of the former Kosmos industrial sawmill site.
`The substance was later identified to be Bunker C oil and was used historically for sawmill operations. In the
`interest of public safety, the area around where the seep was discovered is currently closed to public entry while
`Tacoma Power works with the Washington State Department of Ecology to determine a cleanup plan. A temporary
`cap has been installed to contain the active exposed seep but a timeline to complete the environmental cleanup is
`still unknown. Tacoma Power continues to investigate the site to determine the origin, size, and extent of the seep
`underground.
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`Davis Lake Unit:
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`The 319-acre Davis Lake Unit contains a small pond (limited access) known locally as Davis Lake. The lake
`supports brown bullhead and cutthroat trout and is planted annually by WDFW with rainbow trout. Most fishing is
`from small boats, inflatable rafts, and float tubes as the shoreline is largely inaccessible due to heavy brush and
`shallow water habitats.
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`The Davis Lake Unit is managed for riparian forest habitat, black-tailed deer, dabbling duck, and salmonids.
`Management activities for this Unit have included wetland enhancement activities to improve the habitat for
`wintering waterfowl as well as foraging habitat for area wildlife. The upland pastures are maintained to benefit a
`diversity of game, non-game, and waterfowl species.
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`In 2017 Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) conducted a planting project on the Unit as part
`of a habitat mitigation project to compensate for transportation related environmental impacts offsite. This planting
`effort took place over a small area (~3.75 acres) of the overall Unit.
`
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`Peterman Ridge Unit:
`
`The Peterman Ridge Unit is managed for black-tailed deer, pileated woodpecker, riparian forest, and emergent
`wetland habitats. The management objectives on this Unit, through the use of generally accepted silvicultural
`practices, are to ensure healthy forest conditions, maximize essential habitat components, maximize species
`diversity, and allow for sustainable and compatible recreational opportunities. In 2001, WDFW identified
`approximately 368 acres of mature (age 55+ years ) timber as pileated woodpecker habitat. No silvicultural
`activities are planned for this stand to maintain the mature forest characteristics of the stand. Any forest practice
`activities on this Unit will be for the purpose of enhancing wildlife habitat pursuant to the Plan.
`
`This 6,855-acre upland Unit supports a mixed hardwood and conifer forest varying from clear-cut stands to 100+
`year old stands. When first purchased in 1992, Tacoma Power acquired 2,212 acres with standing timber, and 4,643
`acres where Hancock Timber Resource Group (Hancock) owned the timber rights through the year 2026.
`
`After each subsequent one-time harvest, the timber company harvest rights for that unit revert to full Tacoma
`ownership for reforestation and future management as part of the CWA. Road responsibilities on the reserved
`timber rights areas revert to Tacoma Power under the terms of a negotiated agreement. Hancock sold their
`remaining harvest rights to the Simpson Resource Company (later renamed Green Diamond Resource Company
`(GDRCo) in 2001.
`
`In 2014, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) determined that Tacoma Power should be considered a small
`forest landowner based on management objectives and annual rates of harvest. As a small forest landowner,
`Tacoma Power does not have to engage in the formal Road Maintenance and Abandonment Plan (RMAP) process
`as mandated for large forest landowners by DNR. However, Tacoma Power and WDFW have obligations to follow
`existing RMAP requirements, as well as DNR Forest Practices rules to protect aquatic resources and fish habitat.
`This report will continue to refer to the previously planned projects as RMAP projects.
`
`Up until 2018, GDRCo had responsibility to implement repairs and upgrades on roads identified as GDRCo
`operational roads. Mainline road costs are shared between Tacoma Power (with the CWA as the manager) and
`GDRCo through a Memorandum of Understanding that describes cost sharing mechanisms. All other roads that
`were not used by GDRCo were the responsibility of Tacoma Power and the CWA. There are also other timber
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`The public will continue to have walk-in access to the areas outside of the closed section and WDFW will assist in
`monitoring the site for additional exposed seeps and public compliance with the closure.
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`companies with legal easements across some Peterman roads and Tacoma Power coordinates with them when they
`are actively using the roads.
`
`In 2018, GDRCo cut the last units with harvestable timber from the timber reservation (< 100 acres) and notified
`Tacoma that they have now completed their harvesting activities and responsibilities. Tacoma Power has finalized
`the release of GDRCo responsibilities of the harvested units, associated operational roads and shared roads.
`
`The Wildlife Settlement Agreement requires that Tacoma Power bear all costs associated with timber harvest,
`commercial thinning, reforestation, and other forestry-related activities necessary for the management of Peterman
`Ridge. Tacoma and WDFW work cooperatively to plan forestry related activities to enhance habitats, improve
`forest health, and increase ecological integrity and biodiversity.
`
`In 2014, Tacoma Power and the CWA began jointly implementing thinning projects for habitat enhancement.
`Between 2014 and 2019, 405 acres (three units) were thinned commercially while 2,290 acres (54 units) received
`pre-commercial treatment. Due to Covid restrictions and budgetary concerns associated with Covid shutdowns, no
`thinning projects were completed in 2020 and 2021. In 2022 forestry operations resumed with the pre-commercial
`thinning of nine units totaling 251 acres. In 2023, nine units totaling 356 acres received pre-commercial treatment
`and in 2024, seven units totaling 314 acres received pre-commercial treatment.
`
`Kiona Creek Unit:
`
`Purchased as part of the wetland mitigation agreement in 1995 and 1996, this Unit consists of approximately 411
`acres. The majority of the Unit consists of wetland habitat with a small portion of upland pasture. The Kiona Unit
`is managed for waterfowl, black-tailed deer, salmonids, forested wetland, and riparian forest habitats. Management
`activities include maintaining the agricultural ditches to help facilitate agricultural practices, reclaiming the pasture
`/ forage fields using Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) practices, as well as riparian tree and shrub
`plantings. This Unit is a priority area for riparian wetland habitat restoration and related enhancement projects.
`
`Kiona’s hydrology has been significantly altered for agricultural use and now the majority of the acreage is covered
`by emergent wetland habitat dominated by reed canarygrass. Additionally, recent flood events and the rechanneling
`of Kiona Creek upstream on private property have shifted the hydrology within the Unit to the interior channel in
`the middle of the unit. The change in hydrology has increased erosion upstream thereby increasing the bedload,
`which subsequently has raised the channel’s stream bed substantially. The result is that this stream is no longer
`contained within its channel and creates year round flooding downstream of the access road bridge. Additionally,
`due to the bedload raising the stream bed, the adjacent agricultural ditches do not function properly. These changes,
`which have caused localized flooding, have also exacerbated challenges to manage the forage fields and to access
`for the development of enhancement projects within this Unit. The pasture portions of this Unit are managed with
`an emphasis on enhancing habitat for migratory waterfowl and big-game foraging as the priority objectives.
`However, reed canarygrass and high water levels on this Unit makes accessing the property to construct a major
`restoration project difficult. Restor