Socioecological and Societal Impacts of the Elwha Dam Removal

Abstract

Through qualitative interviews with Park Service managers, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal members and scientists, and residents of Port Angeles, this thesis explores the societal impacts of the Elwha Dam Removal Project. Interviews revealed how power dynamics between federal, tribal, and local stakeholder groups are actively reshaping the socioecological system of the Elwha River. A strong partnership between the Park Service and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe grew out of the process of dam removal, which enabled both to be the major beneficiaries of dam removal. The Park Service benefited by restoring the ecosystem processes of the Elwha River, which will create a healthier ecosystem for future park visitors to experience. The Lower Elwha Klallam benefited by utilizing their treaty rights to right the injustice of catastrophic salmon decline enabling an ecological and cultural revival for tribal members. Furthermore, the decline of resource extractive industries on the Olympic Peninsula made it difficult for Port Angeles residents to imagine how they would personally benefit from dam removal. Lastly, dam removal enabled the Elwha to reexplore its floodplain and recreate side channels. However, restoration of this vital ecosystem process caused an unexpected washout of two major campsites highly valued by Olympic National Park visitors and the only road into the Elwha Valley. This loss was immediately identifiable while the long-term benefits of restored salmon runs and river ecology have yet to be fully realized. Park Service managers believe mitigating these unanticipated losses is the next step of recovery and such reparations will set a strong precedent for addressing the ecological dynamism that could be present in future dam removals in the Pacific Northwest as visitors witness the success of removal firsthand.