Can a landowner or other agency remove log jams?
Generally, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources have jurisdiction and proprietary rights over logs in waters of the State. The Forest Service works closely with these agencies to address problems caused by log jams. On the National Forest, log jams within the WSR corridor can be managed under certain conditions, consistent with WSRA provisions: “… to reduce unacceptable damage to property, provided it is consistent with key river values. Log jams should be considered a natural hazard to be encountered by floaters. They will not be removed solely of facilitate floaters. However, individual sweeper logs may be removed if they present an extreme hazard to boaters” (Skagit River Management Plan Vol. II, pages 15 and 18). However, depending on the specific circumstances, log jams may actually decrease flooding problems, and their removal may intensify downstream impacts. Log jams may act to stabilize riparian systems and help slow or direc
