Studies

Lower Snake River Recreation Study

  • In 2026, the Washington State Legislature appropriated $350,000 to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to complete the identification of offsets and opportunities for recreation associated with the potential draw down of reservoirs on the lower Snake River.

    RCO is working in partnership with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to analyze the fishing and non-fishing recreation impacts and benefits associated with potential breaching of the four Lower Snake River dams.

    A report is due to the Washington State Legislature on June 30, 2027.
  • As of September 30, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers formally cancelled the memorandum of understanding and ended their partnership with RCO on the Lower Snake River Recreation Study to comply with the Presidential Memoranda of June 12, 2025.
  • In the 2024 state budget, RCO was directed to assess the impact to recreation if the Lower Snake River dams were breached. RCO worked on the study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, examining current and potential future uses. The study was reviewed by the Army Corps for compliance with the Presidential Memoranda of June 12, 2025.

    For questions or more information about the study, please contact Ben Donatelle, RCO policy specialist.

Proposed Rule and Policy Change

Seeking Public Comment

RCO is seeking comments on proposed rule changes to Chapter 286-13 of the Washington Administrative Code, which would have implications to Manual 2: Planning Guidelines and Manual 21: Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account. The proposed rule changes are included in the Public Comment Package. Comments can be submitted using this webform.

Public comment will close on December 14 at 11:59 p.m. Questions about the proposed policy changes can be directed to Nick Norton, policy specialist.

Seeking Public Comment

RCO is seeking comments on proposed changes to Manual 10b: WWRP Habitat Conservation. These changes would clarify the nonprofit match requirement in the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program – Habitat Conservation Account. Background and proposed changes can be found in the Public Comment Package.

Public comment will close on December 14 at 11:59 p.m. Comments and questions can be sent by email to Nick Norton, policy specialist.

Emergency Rules

None at this time.