A new independent economic analysis found that nature-based salmon recovery and floodplain restoration on the South Fork Toutle River could generate approximately $78 million in economic and community benefits over 30 years, while also supporting nearly 400 jobs and $21 million in wages across Washington state, according to a recent news release.
The analysis, conducted by Earth Economics and released by the Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group (LCFEG), evaluates the economic impacts of large-scale, nature-based sediment retention and floodplain restoration strategies developed in response to long-standing sediment challenges stemming from the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.
“Salmon recovery and floodplain restoration are often discussed in ecological terms, but this report shows these investments also deliver real, measurable economic value to communities,” said Morgan Morris, executive director of LCFEG. “Nature-based restoration reduces flood risk, supports local jobs, and provides a strong return on public investment.”
Key findings include:
• $78 million in ecosystem service benefits over 30 years, compared to an estimated $30 million in restoration costs, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 2.59.
• $21 million in wages and nearly 400 full-time equivalent jobs supported through restoration spending.
• The largest economic benefits come from carbon sequestration, recreation, flood risk reduction, and water quality improvements.
• Restored floodplains act as natural infrastructure, slowing water, storing sediment and reducing downstream flood risk while improving salmon habitat.
LCFEG’s work on the South Fork Toutle River uses large woody material and floodplain reconnection to restore natural river processes. These projects complement existing structural sediment controls by retaining sediment in the headwaters, reducing long-term dredging and infrastructure costs downstream, the release stated.
The report also found that nature-based sediment retention is cost-competitive with traditional approaches, providing additional benefits that engineered solutions alone do not offer.
The Toutle and Cowlitz River systems continue to carry high sediment loads more than 40 years after the eruption of Mount St. Helens, increasing flood risk for downstream communities and requiring ongoing public investment in dredging and infrastructure. This analysis provides evidence that working with natural river processes can reduce risk while delivering economic, environmental and social returns.
The full report, summary materials and visuals are available at https://www.lcfeg.org/economicimpactreport.
