At least twice a year in Mason County, Washington, floods on the Skokomish River and Weaver Creek create havoc for farmers in the Skokomish Valley.

When Mason County bought out nine acres of flooded pasturelands and partnered with the local Conservation District, its flood solution caught the attention of neighboring landowners. The property, located north of Shelton along Highway 101, includes two tracts along Weaver Creek and one tract along the Skokomish River. The acreage was planted to a mixture of native evergreen trees and bushes. Riparian buffers were installed as part of a Washington State Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) contract.

"I'm amazed at the growth of the trees," said Shannon Kirby, Environmental Specialist for the Mason Conservation District. Shannon explained that neighbors were skeptical at first, saying the planting would wash out. Instead, the trees are established and functioning. "People in the valley have been watching the site. Other landowners have jumped on board after seeing the success of the program."

The 180-foot wide riparian buffers have already begun to provide wildlife habitat. Nests can be found and fast-growing alder trees shade the water. Shade and woody vegetation in the streams are part of the salmon habitat targeted by the Washington State CREP.

During the four years the land has been in CREP, the conservation district has not used any chemicals to control the weeds, including highly-competitive blackberry brambles. Instead, an inmate crew has provided the labor to manually remove the weeds.

In part due to the success of the county-owned site, five landowners have shown interest in the program, enrolling 30 additional acres. Another 10 acres are pending, including a contract with the Skokomish Tribe.

A CREP riparian buffer controls flooding, provides wildlife habitat, and enhances salmon habitat along the Skokomish River.

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