Yakima County
The
Klickitat River from roughly 3 miles upstream of the Klickitat Hatchery is located in Yakima County.
From the Yakima
County Planning Department:
Large
Woody Debris found in log jambs, rootwads, etc. are some of the most important parts of the river.
Log jambs are primary in-stream features that can greatly affect sediment transport
and fish habitat. Their removal can have big repercussions upstream and
downstream on both natural functions, and on adjacent landowners (through flooding and bank
erosion).
There
are opportunities to be exempt from the permit process - some of which might allow dead wood removal under
certain circumstances.
They
would have to apply for and meet the criteria of the exemption, and would still have to protect the functions
of the stream corridor.
If done
carefully, the limited removal of wood for rafting safety might be possible, but it would have to be the
minimum needed and it couldn't remove the log jamb etc. completely.
If the
work can't qualify for an exemption, it might be approved under a permit or variance with appropriate
mitigation.