In response to multiple inquiries, the Chehalis River has not been nominated.
The American Heritage Rivers Initiative program is based upon communities cooperatively nominating themselves for consideration.
River systems are nominated in a fairly complex manner which is identified at the American Rivers Heritage Initiative site click here for more info.
The Chehalis River is listed on the Surf Your Watershed Site located on the EPA internet system. This in no way implies that it is a candidate. Many watersheds are listed on the site. The site includes both the upper and the lower Chehalis. The information includes 19 organizations, like the Chehalis River Council, Trout Unlimited, Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force, and the Chehalis River Basin Land Trust - who are already involved in the watershed.
The organization names and contacts are there simply as an aid for others to use in locating existing organizations and in improving communications. This is a typical function and feature of the internet.
The Executive Order which established the American Heritage Rivers Initiative is quite precise about who retains control of the watershed. A portion of the Executive Order is reproduced below:
Section 1. Policies.
The American Heritage Rivers initiative has three objectives: natural resource and environmental protection, economic revitalization, and historic and cultural preservation.
Executive agencies ("agencies"), to the extent permitted by law and consistent with their missions and resources, shall coordinate Federal plans, functions, programs, and resources to preserve, protect, and restore rivers and their associated resources important to our history, culture, and natural heritage.
Agencies shall develop plans to bring increased efficiencies to existing and authorized programs with goals that are supportive of protection and restoration of communities along rivers.
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, agencies shall act with due regard for the protection of private property provided for by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. No new regulatory authority is created as a result of the American Heritage Rivers initiative. This initiative will not interfere with matters of State, local, and tribal government jurisdiction.