Spirit Lake/Toutle-Cowlitz River CollaborativeSpirit Lake/Toutle-Cowlitz River Collaborative

Our Work

In 2021, The Gifford Pinchot National Forest entered into an agreement with the CWCOG to create a collaborative around flood issues surrounding Mt. Saint Helens. The driving force for this effort arose out of local and federal agency’s desires to address ongoing issues resulting from the 1980 eruption of Mt. Saint Helens.

The Spirit Lake, Toutle/Cowlitz River Collaborative (SLTCRC) was created to share information and identify opportunities to address sediment management and risks associated with catastrophic flood risk in the Spirit Lake and Toutle/Cowlitz River system. Bringing tourism and economic development opportunities to the region is another focus of the collaborative.

Declaration of Cooperation

Mission

To share information, build understanding, and develop and coordinate management solutions to address sediment transport and flood protection in the Spirit Lake, Toutle/ Cowlitz River system while enhancing ecological benefits and serving the many needs of the communities within the system.

Shared Values

  • Safety for downstream communities
  • Restored, healthy ecosystems
  • Access: increasing for recreation; maintaining for research & education​
  • Securing sufficient funding for planning & implementation​
  • Managing for multiple functions & benefits​
  • Reducing intervention via engineered structures in favor of natural processes

Histories

Mount St Helens in 1941

 

Mount St Helens – Video Histories

About the collaborative

Participation by Non-Governmental and Other Interested Parties:

Collaborative meetings are open to the public. Meeting participation by non-members provides the collaborative opportunities to work with individuals and entities that have interests or are affected by management decisions in the system. Opportunities may exist to pursue grants and other funding opportunities that can further the goals of the collaborative.

  • Participants will follow ground rules and operating protocols identified by the collaborative.
  • Participants will engage in ways befitting their missions and resources (e.g., supplying information resources, entering mutually beneficial partnerships).
  • Participants can also assist with broader public outreach and education on issues of importance to the collaborative.
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    Click here if you are interested in more information on SLTCRC future programs/projects

Participants

Governments & Special Purpose Districts

  • WA Dept. of Ecology
  • WA Dept. of Natural Resources
  • Cowlitz Indian Tribe
  • Confederated Tribes & Bands of the Yakama Nation
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
  • NOAA Fisheries
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • U.S. Geological Survey
  • U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration
  • Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board
  • Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments
  • City of Kelso
  • City of Castle Rock
  • City of Longview
  • Port of Longview
  • Cowlitz Conservation District
  • Consolidated Diking Improvement District #1
  • Cowlitz County Cowlitz PUD

As of Late 2021 – Early 2022 (non-signatories)

 

  • University of Nottingham
  • University of Washington
  • Washington State University

  • Office of Senator Maria Cantwell
  • Office of Senator Patty Murray
  • Office of Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Engagement with the Collaborative provides opportunities to work with individuals and entities that have shared interests or are affected by the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Participation may lead to opportunities to pursue grant and funding opportunities with SLTCRC member agencies.