The document provides draft recommendations for developing the Nisqually River Water Trail from Nisqually State Park to Luhr Beach. It outlines a 2-year planning process with assistance from the National Park Service. The vision is to provide high quality non-motorized boating access aligned with protecting cultural/natural resources. Goals include ample public access, minimal environmental impacts, and education. Initial findings note culturally/ecologically important sites. Overall recommendations include creating maps/signs, developing access points, and interpretive opportunities focused on safety, cultural significance, and ecology.

1. S
Nisqually River Water Trail
Draft Recommendations
January 15, 2015

2. Background
S 2 year planning process
S Technical assistance provided by NPS
Rivers, Trails and Conservation
Assistance Program
S Info: http://www.nps.gov/orgs/rtca/index.htm
S Focus:
S Non-motorized boating access
S Nisqually State Park to Luhr Beach
S Tying into land-based trails as appropriate

3. Vision
The Nisqually River Trail provides high
quality non-motorized public recreation
opportunities that are aligned with
efforts to protect areas of cultural
importance and the natural
environment, including threatened and
endangered species habitat and
protected lands.

4. Goals
S Provide ample public access opportunities to the Nisqually
River from La Grande Dam to the Nisqually estuary.
S Create minimal impact on salmon habitat, private lands or
sensitive ecosystems.
S Provide interpretation opportunities for users to learn about the
cultural importance and natural history of the area.
S Recognize the personal responsibility of users, including
exercising skill-based judgment and Leave No Trace principals.

5. Initial Findings
S Mashel River @ confluence with Nisqually River:
S Culturally important for Nisqually Indian Tribe
S Ecologically important for rainbow trout and Steelhead
S Ohop Creek @ confluence with Nisqually River:
S Culturally significant for Nisqually Indian Tribe
S Additional access sites between Nisqually State Park and
McKenna Park highly desirable.
S Signs, maps, and other informational materials are needed to
provide safety information and to tell the cultural & ecological
stories of the river.

6. Overall Recommendations
S Create a map/guide
S Online version (short term)
S Printed version (long term)
S Develop water trail signs
S Install to direct users to appropriate sites
S Develop additional access points as
appropriate/opportunities arise

7. Nisqually State Park – McKenna
Park
S Develop new access site & day use area
near the Ohop Confluence
S Boaters able to drop-off gear, then park uphill
away from river
S All other users must hike in to day use area
S Leave Mashel Confluence undeveloped
S Identify additional access sites to create a
shorter reach
S Develop interpretive opportunities
S Cultural significance
S Ecological significance

8. McKenna Park – Centralia
Powerhouse
S Widen ramp at Centralia Powerhouse
S Improve signage to the Centralia Powerhouse
S Explore ways to reduce crowding at McKenna
Park
S Construct additional access site at Yelm-
Tenino Trail
S Allows for users to take-out before whitewater
S Develop interpretive opportunities
S Safety hazards

9. Centralia Powerhouse – 6th
Ave
S Develop interpretative
opportunities
S Safety (especially JBLM related)
S Cultural significance
S JBLM access
S Work with JBLM to improve
Tank Crossing access site
S Improve the 6th Ave access point

10. 6th Ave – Luhr Beach
S Develop interpretive opportunities
S Safety concerns (tides, open
water)
S Ecology (delta restoration, salmon
recovery)

11. Next Steps
S Advisory Committee meeting – January 25th 1:00-3:00
pm
S Finalizing recommendations
S Draft plan – March 2016
S Final plan – Fall 2016