Mission Creek shoreline restored

Work resolves penalty for bank erosion and water quality degradation

In 2013, a Cashmere developer was fined for excavating in Mission Creek and building a retaining wall that armored the shoreline -- without appropriate permits or plans.

Now the shoreline near the Quail Lane development owned by George Valison has been successfully restored using native plantings and bio-engineering to help prevent flooding and erosion.

BEFORE: Shoreline armoring and in-stream rock constructed

 without approved plans or permits on Mission Creek in 2012

“We’re appreciative of the timeliness in which Mr. Valison has completed the restoration work,” said Gary Graff, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program manager with Ecology in the Central Region. “Mission Creek is an important tributary of the Wenatchee River. The restoration will improve flows for fish, and creates beneficial habitat.”

The restoration also resolves $20,000 in civil penalties associated with the excavation work conducted in Mission Creek in 2012.

AFTER:  The rock retaining wall was removed and replaced 

with a bio-engineered approach to restore the shoreline.

Valison hired Grette Associates to obtain the local, state and federal permits to conduct in-water work necessary to restore the shoreline.

Contractors removed the rock retaining wall and this fall native plantings were installed to help restore the natural functions of the shoreline. The work completes requirements agreed to in a  2014 settlement with Ecology.

The September 2012 incident was investigated by Ecology and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife in response to a citizen complaint. Ecology’s investigation found that the excavation work resulted in environmental harm, including creek bed and bank erosion, and water quality degradation in an area with sensitive steelhead and salmon habitat.