chapter 7 - recommended policies and …...page 7-97 green/duwamish and central puget sound...

97Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed Salmon Habitat Plan—August 2005

P O L I C I E S P R O G R A M S P R O J E C T S

RECOMMENDED POLICIES AND ACTIONS FOR THE MARINE NEARSHORE SUBWATERSHED

The MarineNearshore Subwatershed encompasses all the

WRIA 9 shorelines of Puget Sound and streams thatdrain directly to Puget Sound. The mainlandportion stretches from West Point in Seattle to thewestern boundary of the city of Federal Way. Forsalmon habitat planning purposes, Vashon/MauryIsland is included in this subwatershed. Much ofthe shoreline has been modified to accommodateresidential and commercial development. Residen-tial (68%) and industrial (10%) development are theprimary land uses on the mainland portion of thesubwatershed. Residential development accountsfor 92% of the land use on Vashon/Maury Island.Historic and current land use practices havedegraded nearshore habitats, interrupted habitat-forming processes, degraded water and sedimentquality, decreased riparian functions, and intro-duced non-native species. Some 80% of the main-land shoreline and 50% of the Vashon/Maury Islandshoreline have some form of shoreline armoring(combined average of 64% is armored). Thenearshore is critical to juvenile salmon for rearing,refuge from predators, transitioning to salt waterhabitats, and as a migration corridor to the PacificOcean. In a recent study, juvenile Chinook from atleast 10 different Puget Sound stocks were identi-fied in the marine waters of WRIA 9. Given that the

Duwamish Estuary is substantially degraded, it is likelythat nearshore habitats have taken on more impor-tance for juvenile Chinook rearing than they wouldhave historically. (See Chapter 4 for a more detaileddescription of conditions in the Marine NearshoreSubwatershed.)

The following portfolio of policies and actions isdesigned to:

• Protect, restore, or rehabilitate:

– Nearshore sediment transport processes byreconnecting sediment sources and removingshoreline armoring that impacts sedimenttransport;

– Pocket estuaries (the mouths of smallersalmon-bearing and non-salmon bearingstreams), lagoons, and spits; and

– Sediment quality, particularly in Elliott Bay;

• Protect and expand forage fish spawning areas bymaintaining/increasing high intertidal zoneaccess and maintaining/increasing the availabilityof suitable substrate sizes; and

• Protect and increase the availability of vegetatedshallow nearshore and marsh habitats. (Continued)


P O L I C I E S P R O G R A M S P R O J E C T S

RECOMMENDED POLICIES AND ACTIONS FOR THE MARINE NEARSHORE SUBWATERSHED

While much is known about the ecology of themarine nearshore, there is relatively less informa-tion about salmonid habitat needs and projectopportunities compared to the fresh water ecosys-tems in WRIA 9. At the time of publication of thisPlan, there were two efforts underway that wereexpected to identify new projects and programs andhelp prioritize implementation of all marinenearshore actions, including those in this Plan.These consisted of:

• “Inventory and Assessment of Current andHistoric Beach Feeding Sources/Erosion andAccretion Areas for WRIAs 8 and 9”(Johannessen and MacLennan 2005). Thisassessment was scheduled for completed bySeptember 2005. In addition to classifyingshoreline segments according to their sedimenttransport role, the study also will make habitatprotection and restoration recommendationsbased on sediment transport processes.

• “Habitat Prioritization in Marine Nearshore Areasin Support of Juvenile Salmonid Growth andSurvival in WRIA 9.” This project was scheduledfor completion by December 2005. This study willincorporate geomorphic data from theJohannessen and MacLennan assessment(above), along with previously collected biologi-cal data to prioritize restoration and protectionactions throughout the marine nearshore.

The prioritization and implementation projects in themarine nearshore in 2006 and beyond should incor-porate the findings of these two studies. Futureupdates to the Plan should fully integrate thesefindings.

The marine nearshore includes a number of pocketestuaries, such as Judd Creek on Vashon Island, whichprovide rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids. August 2004photo.


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Policy NS1:

Encourage nearshore property owners to continue the replacement of creosote pilings and structures withnon-creosote alternatives as well as the removal of obsolete/abandoned facilities that contain significantamounts of creosoted wood.

Policy NS2:

Encourage the Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Coast Guard to update oil spill responseplans as new habitat or oceanographic data becomes available.

Policy NS3:

Support the implementation of the Miller/Walker and Salmon Creek Basin Plan by the Cities of Burien andNormandy Park, King County, the Port of Seattle, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Policy NS4:

Encourage the fishery co-managers to consider the impacts on salmonids when establishing regulations forthe harvest of forage fish (Pacific herring, surf smelt, and sand lance) throughout the WRIA.

Policy NS5:

Encourage the removal of derelict vessels.

Policy NS6:

Actively feed beaches, where appropriate, with sediment where there is a lack of sediment due to interruptedsupply from bulkheads or other forms of shoreline armoring.


Program N-1:Promote Habitat Restoration on Private Property by Offering a “Toolbox” of NearshoreHabitat Project Designs

This program would promote voluntary restoration onprivate properties by creating a “toolbox” of stock ormodel habitat designs/techniques that can be appliedto create needed habitats (e.g., removal of derelictdocks, revegetation with riparian vegetation). Atten-tion would focus on promotion of restoration whenopportunities arise, particularly along feeder bluffsand pocket estuaries throughout the subwatershed.

Accompanying the “toolbox” would be technicalassistance to landowners who lack funding andexpertise to manage habitat restoration/ rehabilitationprojects. Types of actions in the”“toolbox” couldinclude: removal of unneeded riprap and otherarmoring (bulkheads, groins, etc), removal of un-needed fill, removal of derelict pilings and derelictoverwater structures, and restoration/rehabilitation ofriparian vegetation.

Armoring and other structures are frequently in needof repair or replacement. However, some existingshoreline armoring was not in fact needed or wasplaced lower in the intertidal zone than is appropriate.Businesses and private property owners are more likelyto consider allowing habitat restoration/rehabilitationon their property if doing so is easy to visualize andcan be conducted with the least amount of site-specific design. (Standard models or templates for“soft” armoring are probably not worth creating due tothe need to tailor such projects to site-specific condi-tions.)

Incentives may encourage private property owners toallow habitat improvements on private properties,possibly as part of site redevelopment.

Watershed basin stewards could promote the “toolbox”and provide or arrange for technical assistance forprivate property owners seeking to pursue goodstewardship techniques. A starter list of smallerprojects was compiled from projects evaluated by theScience Panel in 2004 and 2005. The majority of thesesmaller projects were originally identified in the draftreport, “Inventory and Assessment of Current andHistoric Beach Feeding Sources/Erosion and AccretionAreas for WRIAs 8 and 9” (Johannessen andMacLennan 2005). This list provides over 100 projectsfor this program to undertake once it is started. Imple-mentation of any of these potential projects woulddepend on the voluntary participation of the propertyowner(s). The list of projects can be found in Volume II:Appendix G.

This program also could be applied to the lower fewmiles of the Duwamish given that habitat there isbelieved to function much like marine nearshorehabitat.


Discouraging use of structures such as these groins on VashonIsland is a focus of this proposed program. September 2000 photocourtesy of Washington State Department of Ecology.

LINKAGES

Conservation Hypotheses Addressed• Protecting and improving riparian vegetation (All-2)

• Preventing/removing armoring and fill (All-6)

• Protecting/increasing vegetated shallow nearshore andmarsh habitats (Near-2)

• Protecting and restoring nearshore sediment transportprocesses (Near-3)

• Protecting and expanding forage fish spawning areas(Near-4)Protecting and enhancing pocket estuaries andtributary stream mouths (Near-5)

Habitat Management Strategies• Restore sediment recruitment and transport processes

• Restore shallow water habitats

• Restore/Rehabilitate riparian vegetation and buffers

• Restore/Rehabilitate hydrologic and sediment process

• Restore/Rehabilitate eelgrass and kelp beds by allowingnatural processes to occur

• Restore/Rehabilitate beaches, backshore and associated plantcommunities

• Restore/Rehabilitate salt marshes

• Rehabilitate shoreline areas to reduce water qualityimpacts

-104Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed Salmon Habitat Plan—August 2005

Program N-2:Create a Soft Armoring Technical Assistance and Cost-Share Program

This program would both offer technical assistance onalternative shoreline protection (“soft” armoring) andprovide a cost-share program to encourage landown-ers to use these techniques.

Bulkhead removal is expensive and the unique natureof each site is not conducive to the use of standardmodels or templates of soft armoring. Consequently,encouraging use of soft armoring – when some form ofbeach protection is absolutely necessary — will requirea personalized approach.

Many landowners and consultants are unfamiliar withhow to undertake soft armoring approaches. Technicalassistance will allow for these alternatives to be con-sidered more often than at present, when the custom-ary response is hard armoring.

Incentives should encourage private property ownersto adopt “soft” armoring and/or the addition of habitatimprovements as part of site development or redevel-opment. The initial focus of this program would be onproperties identified as altering sediment recruitmentand transport processes or directly impacting marshhabitat or pocket estuaries.

This beach was restored by removing rip rap armoring and replacingit with gravel. Photo courtesy of Washington State Department ofEcology.

LINKAGES

Conservation Hypotheses Addressed• Preventing/removing armoring and fill (All-6)



• Protecting and expanding forage fish spawning areas(Near-4)

Habitat Management Strategies• Restore/Rehabilitate sediment recruitment and transport

processes

• Restore/Rehabilitate shallow water habitats

• Restore/Rehabilitate riparian processes and functions



• Restore/Rehabilitate salt marshes

• Restore/Rehabilitate shoreline areas to reduce waterquality impacts


Program N-3:Create an Incentive Program to Encourage Multiple Family/Neighborhood Use of Docksand Boat Ramps

This program would reduce the impacts of docks andboat ramps by encouraging consolidation of severaldocks or ramps into one structure that would serve theentire community. Frequently, many shoreline housesadjacent to one another have their own boat rampsand/or over water structures such as docks. Thesestructures have a variety of long-lived negative impactsincluding shading of submerged aquatic vegetation,interfering with sediment transport, and possiblyaltering salmonid migration.

This program could be instituted both for new con-struction proposals and for consolidating existingstructures as they are repaired or redeveloped. Thefinancial incentives could include government costshare, reduction in permit costs, tax reductions withinthe Public Benefit Rating System, and technical andlegal assistance. Moreover, this program also couldhelp landowners save money by spreading out thecosts of creating and maintaining these structures.

Along with the financial incentives, it is necessary tocreate examples or templates of legal agreements foraccess to, maintenance of, and general rules of use ofthe structures. This would help communities under-stand how to share use of such facilities and help torelieve fears of misuse of the rules by a single party.

Major redevelopment or repair of older structures mayresult in further alterations to the shoreline. Where anincentive can be provided to the private-propertyowner or developer, it may result in a reduction in theoverall impacts to a particular area of shoreline.

A program encouraging shared used of docks and boat rampswould help property owners in situations such as this where twoboat ramps are less than 100 feet apart. September 2000 photocourtesy of Washington State Department of Ecology.

LINKAGES

Conservation Hypotheses Addressed• Protecting against watershed and upland impacts (All-5)

• Preventing/removing armoring and fill (All-6)Protecting/increasing vegetated shallow nearshore and marsh habitats(Near-2)



Habitat Management Strategies• Protect/Restore/Rehabilitate sediment recruitment and

transport processes

• Protect/Restore/Rehabilitate shallow water habitats

• Protect/Restore/Rehabilitate riparian processes and functions

• Protect/Restore/Rehabilitate eelgrass and kelp beds byallowing natural processes to occur

• Protect/Restore/Rehabilitate beaches, backshore andassociated plant communities

• Protect/Restore/Rehabilitate salt marshes

• Protect/Restore/Rehabilitate shoreline areas to reducewater quality impacts


Program N-4:Create a Financial Incentive Program to Replace/Repair Failing Septic Systems on Vashon/Maury Islands within Quartermaster Harbor

Provide incentives to replace or repair those failingseptic systems contributing to water quality problemsin Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon/Maury Island.

Failing or inappropriately sited septic systems onVashon/Maury Island are known to be a commonproblem. These failing systems have been associatedwith shellfish harvesting closures and other waterquality concerns, especially within QuartermasterHarbor. While the direct impact on shellfish harvestingis a human health concern, the water quality impactsnegatively affect various parts of the ecosystem thatsupports Chinook salmon. Currently, there is nofinancial incentive for property owners to repair orrelocate septic systems as long as sewage is not back-ing up into the dwelling.

This program would create a financial incentive to fixproblems through cost shares, education, and techni-cal assistance. The program could supplement currentefforts by the Puget Sound Action Team, such as theeducation program that uses “septic socials” in whichproperty owners teach other property owners aboutproper septic system maintenance. Creating a costshare and technical assistance program will enhancethe existing education program and be more likely tocause failing septic systems to be replaced.

Many properties on Vashon/Maury Island have limitedsites suitable for septic systems. Some residents onVashon/Maury Island have asked that the WashingtonState Department of Health and King County Depart-ment of Development and Environmental Servicesallow greater flexibility to take these physical con-straints into account and thereby encourage peoplewith failing systems to fix them sooner.

LINKAGES

Conservation Hypotheses Addressed• Protecting water quality (All-1)


Habitat Management Strategies• Protect/Restore water quality where state standards are

being met or exceeded

• Protect/Restore eelgrass, kelp and other macroalgae


Program N-5:Citizen Volunteer Forage Fish Monitoring Program

This program would both help to fill important datagaps about where forage fish spawn and educate thepublic — especially marine shoreline landowners —about the importance of a healthy nearshore.

Forage fish are at the base of the food chain, with manydeclining species in Puget Sound relying on them as aprimary food source (including various salmonids,marine birds, marine mammals, and other fish). TheWashington State Department of Fish and Wildlifecurrently protects all known forage fish spawningbeaches.

The program would collect data on forage fish pres-ence/absence, timing, species, use of different sub-strate types, and intertidal and upland habitat condi-tion following protocols developed in other PugetSound jurisdictions. Volunteers would be taught aboutforage fish ecology, beach morphology, and sedimenttransport process. They will be trained on how tosample for forage fish, characterize habitat conditions,and water safety. Results would be published via theweb and on CD annually. Data structure would beconstructed to be compatible with Washington StateDepartment of Fish and Wildlife forage fish databaseand shared with the agency.

A number of citizens on Vashon/Maury Island haveexpressed interest in such a program. Its implementa-tion would likely attract attention from non-partici-pants and provide opportunities to convey messagesabout the importance of protecting and restoring ahealthy marine nearshore.

LINKAGES

Conservation Hypotheses Addressed• Protecting and expanding forage fish spawning areas

(Near-4)

Habitat Management Strategies• Protect beaches and backshore areas and associated plant

communities

Scientific assessment work provides opportunities to involve andinform the public. August 2001 photo.


Project NS-1:Pier 90 Shallow Water Habitat Rehabilitation

Project Description

There is currently a small amount of shallow waterhabitat along the eastern side of Pier 90 in Elliott Bay inSeattle. This project would protect and expand thatarea of shallow water habitat. The land comprisingshoreline east of Pier 90 would need to be purchased.The riprap and fill would be moved in order to createadditional shallow water habitat and the shorelinewould be planted with riparian vegetation.

Opportunities and Constraints

• The road leading to Pier 90 would need to berelocated, as it is right along the shore and isheavily used.Site of proposed project east of Pier 90. Galer Street Bridge over the

BNSF Railway tracks has been constructed since photo was taken.September 2000 photo courtesy of the Washington StateDepartment of Ecology.

LINKAGES





Habitat Management Strategies• Protect/Restore shallow water habitatsResto

• Restore riparian vegetationRestore beaches, backshoreand associated plant communities


Project NS-2:Myrtle Edwards Park Small Pocket Beaches/Shallow Water Habitat Rehabilitation

Project Description

This project would create several pocket beaches inMyrtle Edwards Park on Elliott Bay in Seattle and tothe north of the park. Riprap armoring would beremoved and the slopes would be graded back tocreate natural slopes. Pocket beaches would have afishmix (sand and gravel) of sediments placed onthem. Some of the riparian area would be plantedwith native vegetation. A shallow water bench such asthat described for Project NS-3 (below) may also beconstructed waterward of the pocket beaches.


• The project sites are popular, high-visibility parksowned by the City of Seattle and Port of Seattle.

LINKAGES




Habitat Management Strategies• Restore/Rehabilitate shallow water habitats

• Restore/Rehabilitate riparian vegetation



Project NS-3:Olympic Sculpture Park Tidal Embayment/Shallow Water Habitat Rehabilitation

Project Description

This project would create a 0.64 acre tidal embaymentat the northern end of the Elliott Bay seawall and anapproximately 800 foot long and 15 foot wide habitatbench between Pier 70 and Myrtle Edwards Park. Thehabitat bench would be a 15 foot wide lower intertidal(0 to -1 foot mean lower low water) bench alongapproximately 770 feet of the buttress that will beadded to re-enforce the seawall. The bench would be acombination of fish mix (sand and gravel) and largercobbles to provide a setting to support algae growthand epibenthic/benthic invertebrate production. Theouter face of the bench will slope to deeper depths andwill provide boulder habitat for understory and over-story kelp colonization. The riparian area would bepartially planted with native marine riparian vegeta-tion.


• This project already has the support of the City ofSeattle, which owns Myrtle Edwards Park. It wouldbe part of the larger Olympic Sculpture Parkredevelopment currently underway. Its habitatvalue is complemented by its high visibility andcontribution to public awareness.

Site of proposed Olympic Sculpture Park restoration on Elliott Bay atsouth end of Myrtle Edwards Park. July 2004 photo.

LINKAGES




Habitat Management Strategies• Restore/Rehabilitate shallow water habitats

• Restore/Rehabilitate riparian vegetation

• Restore/Rehabilitate beaches, backshore and associatedplant communities


Project NS-4:Seattle Waterfront Shallow Water Bench Habitat Rehabilitation

Project Description

This project is conceptual at this point but is based onthe fact that the Seattle waterfront seawall and AlaskanWay viaduct may be replaced in the future. Thesereplacements create a rare opportunity to turn theeastern Elliott Bay shoreline into a fish friendly envi-ronment. The project would involve creating shallowwater habitat benches and fish friendly structuresalong the waterfront. This proposal also encompassesthe relocation of the Washington State Ferry system’sColman Ferry Dock offshore, allowing room for install-ing a shoreline beach. These changes would open up amigration corridor and increase the amount of shallowwater area for juvenile Chinook foraging.


• The project depends on funding and constructionof the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement.

• Pier relocation would be required.

The central Seattle waterfront provides poor salmon habitat today.Seawall replacement offers opportunities to improve habitat value.July 2004 photo.

LINKAGES




Habitat Management Strategies• Restore/Rehabilitate riparian vegetation

• Restore/Rehabilitate beaches, backshore and associatedplant communities


Project NS-5:Burien Seahurst Park Shoreline Restoration, Phase II

Project Description

Continue shoreline restoration actions conducted insouthern portion of Seahurst Park in Burien by remov-ing shoreline armoring along approximately 3,000 feetof shoreline, restoring natural beach slopes, addingriparian vegetation, and connecting riparian vegeta-tion and sediment supply to the aquatic portion ofnearshore. This Phase II would add to the successfulPhase I seawall removal/beach restoration conductedin 2004-2005.


• The combined project (Phase I and II) wouldresult in almost a mile of unarmored shorelineand be one of the largest contiguous lengths ofunarmored shoreline within WRIA 9.

Southern portion of Seahurst Park following removal of a failingseawall and beach restoration (Phase I). February 2005 photocourtesy City of Burien.

LINKAGES






• Protecting and enhancing pocket estuaries and tributarystream mouths (Near-5)


• Restore shallow water habitats

• Restore riparian vegetation

• Restore beaches, backshore and associated plantcommunities


Project NS-6:Skeeter Creek Pocket Estuary Restoration on Vashon Island

Project Description

This project would restore the mouth of Skeeter Creekon the northwestern side of Vashon Island. Currentlythe mouth is a four foot culvert through substantial filland bulkheading at the top of the beach. The culvertappears to be a complete fish barrier. The projectwould remove the 15 foot tall bulkheading and restorea natural beach profile. It is likely that a portion of adriveway would need to be relocated.


• This project depends on a voluntary cooperationwith the existing property owner or purchase if theowner is willing to sell.

Skeeter Creek where it enters Colvos Passage on the west side ofVashon Island. September 2000 photo courtesy of the WashingtonDepartment of Ecology.

LINKAGES


• Improving tributary access (All-3)




Habitat Management Strategies• Protect/Restore shallow water habitat

• Protect/Restore intact riparian areas and associatedfunctions

• Protect/Restore tributary mouths

• Protect/Restore beaches and backshore and associated plantcommunities

• Protect/Restore salt marshes


Project NS-7:Cove Creek Pocket Estuary Restoration on Vashon Island

Project Description

This project would restore the mouth of Cove Creek onthe northwestern side of Vashon Island. Puget SoundEnergy owns the property where Cove Creek entersPuget Sound through a bulkhead/culvert combination.King County owns the two parcels upstream. There is aroad that leads to and ends at the Puget Sound Energyproperty. Since Puget Sound Energy would need theroad to maintain the equipment on site, the bulkhead/culvert would be replaced with a box culvert and theroad would be moved as far back from the shoreline aspossible. It is also possible that a new road crossingcould be built onto the Puget Sound Energy propertyoff of the adjacent King County property. This wouldhave the stream crossing occurring approximately 150feet upstream of the mouth. The northern half of thebulkhead, which is not protecting any structures orroad, would be removed. The stream mouth areawould be planted with riparian and marsh vegetation.


• The project depends on the cooperation of thePuget Sound Energy.

Cove Creek where it enters Colves Passage on the west side of VashonIsland. September 2000 photo courtesy of Washington StateDepartment of Ecology.

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Project NS-8:Dillworth and Gorsuch Creek Pocket Estuaries Restoration on Vashon Island

Project Description

Dillworth and Gorsuch Creeks enter Puget Sound atnearly the same location, creating a single fan typedelta on the northeastern shore of Vashon Island. Thecreek mouths are approximately 300 feet apart. Bothstreams are currently in constrained channels for thelower 150 feet. Both channels would have the bankarmoring (both banks) removed and a meanderingstream channel established. If the property werepurchased, the northern property’s house and bulk-head would be removed.


• This project depends on the voluntary sale of oneor two of the parcels by the property owners andthe cooperation of neighboring property owners.

• Purchase of the two properties would make theproject much easier and more sustainable byallowing the channels to move around the alluvialfan over time, but it is still possible to improvehabitat conditions while retaining the existingbuildings.

Gorsuch and Dilworth Creeks where they enter Puget Sound on theeast side of Vashon Island. Photo courtesy of Washington StateDepartment of Ecology.

LINKAGES












Project NS-9:Mileta, Ellisport, Camp Sealth, Bates, and Tsugwalla Creek Fish Passage Improvements onVashon Island

Project Description

This project would restore fish passage to five streamson Vashon Island by replacing existing culverts withimproved culverts or bridges. The streams are Mileta,Ellisport, Camp Sealth, Bates, and Tsugwalla Creeks.Restoring fish passage at these locations was evaluatedas having likely direct Chinook benefit by opening upcurrently inaccessible habitat to serve as pocketestuaries. These fish passage blockages were con-firmed in the 2000/2001 Washington Trout field surveyof passage blockages across Vashon/Maury Island.


• This project depends on voluntary cooperation ofprivate property owners.

Mouth of Tsugwalla Creek showing fish passage blockage. June 2000photo courtesy of Washington Trout.

LINKAGES

Conservation Hypotheses Addressed• Improving tributary access (All-3)


Habitat Management Strategies• Restore access to tributaries

• Restore pocket estuaries


Project NS-10:Ellis Creek Saltmarsh Protection and Restoration on Vashon Island

Ellis Creek mouth. September 2000 photo courtesy of the WashingtonState Department of Ecology.

LINKAGES


• Improving tributary access (All-3)Preventing/removingarmoring and fill (All-6)








Project Description

This project would acquire the salmonid-accessiblesaltmarsh and riparian land at the mouth of Ellis Creekon Tramp Harbor, on the east side of Vashon Island.

There is currently a functioning saltmarsh that isconstrained in size by a dirt road that gives access tofive privately-owned parcels. The five parcels comprisefour acres of upland and saltmarsh habitat. The projectwould remove the dirt access road, increasing the totalsaltmarsh area by approximately 33%.

Purchase (if the property owners are willing to sell) isrequired because removal of the access road wouldpreclude use of the upland parcels.

The newly opened area would be evaluated in thefuture to determine if active restoration of the plantcommunity is needed or whether passive restorationwill suffice to restore the saltmarsh community.


• This project depends on the voluntary sale of theparcels by the property owners.


Project NS-11:Feeder Bluff Protection and Restoration of Beach Feeding Processes in Normandy Park

Project Description

This project would purchase and restore one of the lastmajor privately-held undeveloped feeder bluffs alongthe mainland marine shoreline. The project is locatedjust north of Marine View Park in Normandy Park. Thebluff is approximately 1,000 feet long and is made upof 27 separate parcels, totaling 13.5 acres. Three of the27 parcels are already in public ownership (two ownedby King County and one by the City of NormandyPark). While the upland is not developed, there is abulkhead along 80% of the shoreline of the bluff. Oncethe parcels are purchased, the bulkhead would beremoved to allow for natural sediment beach feedingprocesses to occur.


• This project depends on the voluntary sale of theparcels by property owners.

Undeveloped feeder bluffs that would be purchased. September 2000photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Ecology.

LINKAGES







• Restore shallow water habitatsRestore riparian vegetation

• Restore beaches, backshore and associated plantcommunities


Project NS-12:Pocket Estuary Restoration at Mouth of Unnamed Creek in Normandy Park

Project Description

This project would acquire two parcels, one on eachside of the mouth of an unnamed creek just south ofMarine View Park in Normandy Park. Each parcel has ahouse and bulkhead on it, which fill portions of theintertidal zone. The bulkheads and houses constrainthe stream channel to an approximately four to five-foot wide cement walled channel. Once the parcelswere purchased the houses and bulkheads would beremoved, the slope would be regraded and reveg-etated. Marsh vegetation would be planted adjacent tothe mouth.


• This project depends on the voluntary sale of theparcels by property owners.

Unnamed creek flows between two houses in Normandy Park.September 2000 photo courtesy of Washington State Department ofEcology.

LINKAGES












Project NS-13:Massey Creek Pocket Estuary Restoration in Des Moines

Project Description

This project would involve restoring parts of theestuary of Massey Creek in Des Moines. Massey Creekenters Puget Sound just south of the Des MoinesMarina. The project would remove 300 feet of thesouthern, rock-lined bank of the creek and a small jetty(about half of that distance is the jetty; the other half isthe channelized stream). The 150-foot jetty extendingout into the subtidal area would be removed (there isanother jetty protecting the Des Moines Marina on thenorth side of the stream; this project does not proposechanges to that jetty). Approximately 150 feet of thechannel upstream of the mouth would be widened andmeandered away from the northern rock wall to createtwo natural banks for the creek. The area on both sidesof the creek would be revegetated with upland andmarsh vegetation.


• This project depends on either the voluntarycooperation of the current landowner or through aconservation easement on the western half of theproperty.

Massey Creek empties into Puget Sound between two rock walls attop of photo. Project would remove small jetty to south (right). City ofDes Moines Marina is to left. September 2000 photo courtesy ofWashington State Department of Ecology.

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Project NS-14:Evaluate How to Improve Habitat Value of Raab’s Lagoon/Pocket Estuary on Maury Island

Project Description

This project would work with the property owner andpeople who moor boats in Raab’s Lagoon to identifyways to improve its value in terms of salmon habitat.

Prior to the 1920’s, Raab’s Lagoon was a properlyfunctioning subestuary on Quartermaster Harbor onMaury Island. A bulkhead was placed across themouth to provide a road to Maury Island. Later, thisbulkhead was partly removed and replaced with awater control structure that allowed for boat mooragein the lagoon.

This project would involve examination of the lagoonto determine whether and how it could be modified toimprove habitat value for salmonids. This examinationwould require the participation of the property ownerand those who moor boats in the lagoon to betterunderstand how it is managed currently, the implica-tion of any potential changes both to current users andthe existing habitat, and ways to mitigate the harmfulimpacts of potential changes. Potential changes couldrange from modifications of the water control struc-ture operations to restoration of full fish access andtidal inundation of the lagoon by removing the watercontrol structure and reestablishing a sand spit acrossthe mouth. If changes to the control structure in-creased salinity in the lagoon, salt marsh restorationcould be undertaken where elevations are appropri-ate. The riparian area also could be planted.


• This project depends on the voluntary coopera-tion by the property owner and lagoon neighbors.There is a high level of interest in and concernabout this potential project among lagoon neigh-bors.

Raab’s Lagoon on Maury Island. September 2000 photo courtesy ofthe Washington State Department of Ecology.

LINKAGES







Habitat Management Strategies• Restore sediment recruitment and transport processesRestore

shallow water habitats

• Restore riparian vegetation

• Restore salt marshes

• Protect/Restore/Rehabilitate beaches, backshore andassociated plant communities


Project NS-15:McSorley Creek Pocket Estuary Restoration in Des Moines

Project Description

This project would remove rock armoring alongapproximately 150 feet on both banks of McSorleyCreek upstream from the mouth. McSorley Creek inDes Moines enters Puget Sound along a heavily modi-fied shoreline at Saltwater State Park. The projectwould also remove all armoring along the marineshoreline within 150 on either side of the streammouth. The beach fill would be excavated and thebeach regraded to a natural slope (similar to thecurrent southern shoreline beyond the existing 150feet of armoring). The area adjacent to the mouthwould be planted with dune grass and other nativevegetation.


• This project depends on the cooperation ofWashington State Parks. The project would impactsome of the park uses (three to five picnic andbarbecue areas), while improving both the naturalaesthetic values and ecological values of the site.

• The park and community uses the stream ecologyand salmon runs on McSorley Creek as an educa-tional tool.

McSorley Creek where it empties into Puget Sound at Saltwater StatePark in Des Moines. September 2000 photo courtesy of WashingtonState Department of Ecology.

LINKAGES







• Protect/Restore intact riparian areas and associated functions





Project NS-16:Dash Point State Park Pocket Estuary Restoration in Federal Way

Project Description

This project would improve the stream mouth of anunnamed creek (#0391) that enters Puget Soundthrough Dash Point State Park in Federal Way. Thecreek banks are armored from the mouth up to theroad bridge, 200 feet upstream. The project wouldremove the armoring on both banks up to either thefoot bridge (100 feet upstream from the mouth) or allthe way to the road bridge (200 feet upstream). Be-tween the footbridge and the road bridge there is abuilding approximately 50 feet from the right bank. Aninitial part of the project would be to evaluate if thearmoring in this reach can be removed without endan-gering that building.


• This project depends on the cooperation ofWashington State Parks. The project does notappear to impact any direct park uses (picnicking,barbecuing, etc) and would improve the aestheticsof the park as well as the ecological values of thestream.

View upstream from mouth of creek #0391, showing armoring thatwould be removed.

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Project NS-17:Functioning Nearshore Habitat Protection on Vashon/Maury Island

Project Description

Approximately 50 different locations along Vashon/Maury Islands have been identified as having highhabitat resource values worthy of protection (seeFigure 7-5 for the approximate locations). This list oflocations was developed in part by the Vashon-MauryIsland Land Trust. Protection of these nearshorehabitats could occur through purchase, conservationeasements, tax incentive programs, or other changes toproperty ownership. Alternative protection measurescould include education and informational workshopsfor interested property owners.

Given the large list of locations, a further analysis ofthe threat of development to properties in those areasshould be undertaken to help prioritize the list. Thesize and shape of each protection area will be deter-mined through this further analysis, on-site visits, anddiscussions with current property owners regardingwhether and how they wish to participate in protectionefforts.

In addition, there are two high value habitat areas to beprotected on the WRIA 9 mainland. One is in thePerkins Lane neighborhood of Magnolia in Seattle andthe other in the city of Normandy Park.


• This project depends on voluntary participationby property owners through easement, sale, orother incentives.

Vashon/Maury Island shoreline showing healthy nearshore habitat.September 2000 photo courtesy of the Washington StateDepartment of Ecology.

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Habitat Management Strategies• Protect sediment recruitment and transport processes

• Protect shallow water habitats

• Protect intact riparian areas

• Protect stream mouths

• Protect water quality where state standards are being met

• Protect cool, clean surface and ground water

• Protect current water quantity from further modification

• Protect beaches, backshore and associated plant communities

• Protect remaining salt marshes


Project NS-18:Sandford Point Feeder Bluff Restoration on Vashon Island

Project Description

This project would remove a derelict bulkhead justnorth of Sandford Point on the west side of VashonIsland. Currently there is a failing creosote pile bulk-head in front of an active feeder bluff. While the bluffbehind the bulkhead is still eroding, the bulkhead islimiting the amount of erosion that is occurring and itis holding back slide debris.


• There do not appear to be any structures on top ofthe bluff that would require protection through anew bulkhead.

• The project would depend on voluntary coopera-tion of private property owners.

Site of proposed derelict bulkhead removal (bulkhead not easilyvisible in picture). September 2000 photo courtesy of the WashingtonState Department of Ecology.

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Project NS-19:Tramp Harbor Intertidal Fill Removal on Vashon Island

Project Description

There are currently two large areas intertidal filllocated near the public dock along Dockton RoadSouthwest. The two areas of fill are being held in placeby old creosote bulkheads. There are no structures onthe fill. This project would remove the fill and reestab-lish a natural grade to the shoreline.


• This project would complement a recent KingCounty Department of Transportation project thatremoved a smaller amount of fill adjacent to apier.

• It is not clear who owns the intertidal parcels.Purchasing of the two areas or permission from aprivate property owner(s) may be required.

Sites of intertidal fill removal in Tramp Harbor. The King CountyDepartment of Transportation recently removed the smaller fill justto the left of the pier. September 2000 photo courtesy of theWashington State Department of Ecology.

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Project NS-20:Maury Island Fill Removal

Project Description

There is currently an area of intertidal fill locatedbetween the Gold Beach neighborhood and the GlacierNorthwest gravel pit pier. There are no structures onthe fill. The fill appears to be causing some sediment toaccumulate on the downdrift side of the fill. The fillalso appears to be inhibiting natural erosion of theadjacent bluffs onto the beach. This project wouldremove the fill and reestablish a natural grade to theshoreline.


• This project depends on the cooperation ofGlacier Northwest.

Site of fill removal just southwest of the Gold Beach Neighborhood.September 2000 photo courtesy of the Washington StateDepartment of Ecology.

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Project NS-21:Sandy Beach Fill and Derelict Pier Removal on Vashon Island

Project Description

There is currently an area of intertidal fill and a derelictdock located just south of the Sandy Beach neighbor-hood on the west side of Vashon Island. The fill is in theform of an intertidal rockery, which appears to beacting as a deeper water bulkhead. This project wouldremove the fill and the derelict dock and reestablish anatural grade to the shoreline.


• The dock and the fill appear to be on two differentproperties.

• The project would depend on voluntary coopera-tion of private property owners.

Site of proposed pier removal (left) and intertidal fill removal (right)just south of the Sandy Beach neighborhood. September 2000 photocourtesy of the Washington State Department of Ecology.

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chapter 7 - recommended policies and …...page 7-97 green/duwamish and central puget sound...

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