Economic Impact Report for the South Fork Toutle
In the fall of 2025, Earth Economics provided pro bono services to evaluate the economic benefits associated with restoration work in the South Fork Toutle Watershed. The goal of this work is to help quantify and communicate the local economic co-benefits of restoration investments such as jobs supported, local spending, and broader community impacts. You will find a summary of the report below, or feel free to click the button to download the entire report!
South Fork Toutle Restoration Goals: Ecological Outcomes Beyond Economic Benefits​​​
The core goal of South Fork Toutle River restoration is to achieve measurable population recovery for targeted ESA-listed Chinook, coho, and steelhead by expanding spawning and rearing habitat and restoring floodplain function. These ecological objectives are not captured through economic reporting which is focused on co-benefits. Recent data from the WDFW’s SCORE program indicate improving trends in fall Chinook salmon abundance in the South Fork Toutle River. While recovery benchmarks have not yet been met, incremental increases over the past several years may reflect an early positive population response to ongoing habitat restoration efforts.
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Nature-Based Sediment Management​
LCFEG is leading nature-based restoration on the South Fork Toutle River. Using large wood and habitat-forming processes, these projects slow water, store sediment, reconnect floodplains, and rebuild wetlands, primarily to improve salmon habitat while also reducing downstream risk. This approach complements structural sediment controls on the North Fork Toutle and strengthens watershed-scale resilience.
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Economic and Ecosystem Benefits
This report evaluates the environmental, social, and economic benefits of South Fork Toutle restoration using ecosystem services valuation, economic impact analysis, and benefit-cost assessment. Restoration is estimated to generate $78 million in ecosystem service benefits over 30 years, compared to an estimated $30 million in total restoration costs. The largest benefits come from flood risk reduction, carbon sequestration, improved water quality, habitat, and recreation.
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Project Benefits Outweigh Costs
Average Ecosystem service values over 30 years compared to total project costs
A 2% discount rate is used to express future benefits in today’s dollars, a standard approach for long-term public and environmental projects.
Top Benefits Provided: 30-year average values
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Jobs and Regional Economic Impact
In addition to ecosystem benefits, restoration investments support the regional economy. Project spending is estimated to generate $21 million in wages and nearly 400 full-time equivalent jobs across Washington, reflecting direct, indirect, and induced economic activity.
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