Bonneville Environmental Foundation Commits to Support Innovative,
10-year River Restoration Partnership in Washington's Entiat River Valley


The Oregon-based non-profit commits funding to initiate its fifth 10-year Model Watershed restoration program in the Pacific Northwest.

Portland, Ore. (April 30, 2007) -- The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) announced today that it signed an agreement with the Entiat Watershed Planning Unit (EWPU) to support an intensive, 10-year Model Watershed restoration and monitoring program in central Washington's Entiat River valley. Breaking with the tradition of using short-term grants to support watershed restoration, BEF pledged to provide technical support, funding for monitoring and evaluation, and independent scientific review services for the full 10-year duration of the program.

"BEF and the EWPU both assert that a long-term and adaptive approach is necessary to restore productive stream habitat and recover healthy populations of native salmon and steelhead," said Todd Reeve, BEF's Vice President of Watershed Programs. "BEF's pledge of 10-year support for this project demonstrates the Foundation's firm commitment to avoid piecemeal restoration strategies and develop a new, more comprehensive and effective approach to watershed restoration."

With strong community backing, the EWPU has endeavored since 1998 to develop a comprehensive watershed restoration program that balances the needs of local irrigators and landowners. Although one- to two-year grants from government agencies and foundations provide essential funding for EWPU restoration projects, typical short-term grants do not encourage the implementation of comprehensive, watershed-wide restoration strategies.

"BEF's Model Watershed approach enhances our ability to develop and sustain an integrated and long-term restoration program" said Sarah Walker, Entiat Watershed Program Coordinator. "In addition, the pledge of 10-year support gives us the capacity to measure restoration effectiveness and adjust our strategies according to observed results. In time, this will allow us to demonstrate accountability to the many landowners, funders, and other stakeholders that make watershed restoration possible in the Entiat River."

With its collaborative, scientific approach, the EWPU expects to substantially improve habitat, water quality, and native fish populations across the entire Entiat watershed. These improvements will benefit local landowners, tribal members, and other area stakeholders that rely on the Entiat River for irrigation, recreation, and cultural purposes.

In an effort to demonstrate an increasingly responsible and effective restoration methodology, BEF has so far committed to provide 10-year funding and support to five Model Watershed programs in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the Entiat Model Watershed, BEF supports Model Watershed programs in the Lower Kootenai River, ID; Chinook River, WA; Deschutes Basin, OR; and Benewah Creek, ID. BEF expects to launch another new Model Watershed in 2007. More information about the innovative 10-year Model Watershed approach can be found online at www.b-e-f.org/watersheds/index.shtm.

About the Bonneville Environmental Foundation
The nonprofit Bonneville Environmental Foundation was established in 1998. Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products, BEF supports its dual mission of restoring watershed ecosystems and expanding the generation of clean renewable energy. BEF's Model Watershed programs comprise 10-year commitments that provide funding for monitoring, evaluation, and scientific oversight. BEF's long-term approach ensures that Model Watershed program partners apply scientific methodology, continuously track progress, and improve strategies based on measured results. More information is available at www.b-e-f.org.


About the Entiat Watershed Planning Unit
The Entiat Watershed Planning Unit (EWPU) consists of Entiat valley landowners, government and non-government employees, and other stakeholders. The goal of the EWPU is to voluntarily bring people together to improve communication, reduce conflicts, address problems, reach consensus, and implement actions to improve natural resource management on associated private and public lands in the Entiat watershed. The Chelan County Conservation District serves as the Lead Agency for the EWPU's efforts. They provide technical, policy, and administrative support to the Planning Unit.

Contact:

Todd Reeve
Director of Watershed Programs
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
541.760.6658
toddreeve@b-e-f.org


Sarah M. Walker
Chelan County Conservation District
301 Yakima Street, Room 307
Wenatchee, WA 98801
sarah-walker@wa.nacdnet.org