East Fork Lewis River habitat restoration project wins state, federal grantsSubscriber Exclusive

By Shari Phiel, Columbian staff reporter

Published: April 21, 2023, 5:45pm

3 Photos

An aerial view of the area of the East Fork of the Lewis River near the old gravel pit west of Daybreak Park and east of Mason Creek. The floods of 1996 ravished the river where it is weakest: near these gravel pits. The river, winding at far right, flows into the pit area and widens considerably, slowing down and heating up during summer months. (The Columbian files) Photo Gallery

A habitat restoration project planned for the East Fork Lewis River got a double dose of good news Friday from both the state and federal government.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., announced nearly $59.7 million in grant funding was being awarded to 14 projects in the state, including $7.5 million for the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership’s Lewis River project.