Mills propertyWatershed: Chehalis River Basin
Sub-basin: Scatter Creek Habitat type: Forested riparian, floodplain, White Oak Acreage: 30 acres Wildlife usages: Water fowl, raptors, amphibians, salmonids, raccoons, deer, beaver, river otter
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Mills-Parker Place Project
Project description: The purpose of this project was to protect and conserve a crucial portion of an intact, properly functioning, and biologically significant, ½ mile mainstem of Scatter Creek and White Oak woodland. This property supports a diverse collection of endangered and threatened species, both aquatic and terrestrial. The conservation of this property affects the water quality/quantity of this watershed by no longer permitting further degradation from residential development.
This parcel is 2 miles from the Chehalis River, incorporating historical and current salmonid uses for adult spawning and critical summer rearing habitat for juvenile Coho, Cutthroat, Steelhead, Chum, and potentially juvenile Chinook. Protecting these quickly depleting habitats was a vital component for long-term sustainability in the Chehalis Basin.
The White Oak riparian habitat, which encompasses most all of the 30 acre parcel, is extremely important to the Scatter Creek watershed for several reasons: Intact riparian areas positively affect water and soil temperatures; the hydro-connectivity positively affected in-stream flows, especially in areas of high degradation; allows for a diverse system of species which are endangered or threatened of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. All soil features for this reach of Scatter Creek indicate mostly glacial till, and are hydrological connected to this system. It was imperative to sustain these cool and moist soils. Permitting the area to be cleared, exposed, and uncovered would create temperature issues to the water system.
In addition, the encapsulated pristine diversity of this property is an exceptional example of properly functioning ecosystem complexity for environmental education and outreach of all ages. This opportunity to engage citizens in the significance of water quality/quantity and their ability to contribute positively will help perpetuate the stewardship sensibilities necessary for our land and waterways to thrive.
This parcel is 2 miles from the Chehalis River, incorporating historical and current salmonid uses for adult spawning and critical summer rearing habitat for juvenile Coho, Cutthroat, Steelhead, Chum, and potentially juvenile Chinook. Protecting these quickly depleting habitats was a vital component for long-term sustainability in the Chehalis Basin.
The White Oak riparian habitat, which encompasses most all of the 30 acre parcel, is extremely important to the Scatter Creek watershed for several reasons: Intact riparian areas positively affect water and soil temperatures; the hydro-connectivity positively affected in-stream flows, especially in areas of high degradation; allows for a diverse system of species which are endangered or threatened of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. All soil features for this reach of Scatter Creek indicate mostly glacial till, and are hydrological connected to this system. It was imperative to sustain these cool and moist soils. Permitting the area to be cleared, exposed, and uncovered would create temperature issues to the water system.
In addition, the encapsulated pristine diversity of this property is an exceptional example of properly functioning ecosystem complexity for environmental education and outreach of all ages. This opportunity to engage citizens in the significance of water quality/quantity and their ability to contribute positively will help perpetuate the stewardship sensibilities necessary for our land and waterways to thrive.
