Habitat Restoration in the Cedar River Watershed

There are two major plans for addressing the habitat needs of the many native species in the Cedar River Watershed, the Cedar River Habitat Conservation Plan and the Lower Cedar River Basin and Nonpoint Pollution Action Plan.

In the upper 2/3 of the basin, the Cedar River Municipal Watershed, the Cedar River Watershed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is a 50-year, ecosystem-based plan that was prepared to address the declining populations of salmon, steelhead and other species of fish and wildlife in the Cedar River basin. Signed into law in 1999 (see Cedar River HCP History--link), the Cedar River HCP includes commitments to forests, fish and instream flows.

The Municipal Watershed is unpopulated and closed to public access. In the lower 1/3 of the Cedar River basin, there are nearly 60,000 residents and the conservation measures correspond to this major difference.

The Lower Cedar River Basin and Nonpoint Pollution Action Plan describes current conditions in the basin and proposes solutions to the problems of flooding, property damage and declining salmon and steelhead runs. It also recommends preventive measures to protect and maintain water quality, groundwater supplies and habitat as the basin planning area continues to develop. Preventing problems in the watershed is much more cost-effective in the long term than trying to correct problems once they occur.

The Friends of the Cedar River Watershed are actively involved with both of these plans. The Friends serve on the Cedar River HCP Oversight Committee, and are voting members on the Cedar River Council, the body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Lower Cedar River Basin and Nonpoint Pollution Action Plan. Our Watershed Stewardship Program provides opportunities for community volunteers to participate in hands-on restoration activities in both the upper and lower basins.