WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat
Protection and Restoration News
Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed
From Your WRIA 9 Watershed Coordination Services Team
Previous E-newsletters are archived at the WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Website: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/Wrias/9/index.htm
February 3, 2003
Salmon and Water in the Watershed
Hatchery Summary for 2002
The 2002 figures for the Soos Creek hatchery are:
10,507 chinook adults returned to the hatchery (as compared to 12,270 fish in 2001)
2,419 adults were passed upstream to spawn in Soos Creek and its tributaries
4.5 million eggs were taken from the remaining fish
As of late January, the young chinook have hatched and were being put in the rearing ponds.
46,765 coho adults returned to the hatchery (as compared to 41,300 fish in 2001)
8,254 adults were passed upstream to spawn in Soos Creek and its tributaries
4 million eggs were taken from the remaining fish
As of late January, the coho were hatching.
Water Outlook and Howard Hanson Dam Operations
Anyone who skis knows that this has been a low snow year so far. While snowpack measurements are not yet available for the Green, it is expected that they will be considerably below average.
Howard Hanson Dam is being operated for flood control purposes, which is typical for this time of year. Consequently, unless the reservoir is needed for flood control purposes, the reservoir is mostly empty and the project is being operated essentially in run-of-the-river mode: inflow to the reservoir is generally matched by releases from the dam.
As always, you can find out current flow conditions on the Green by visiting the U.S. Geological Survey web page at http://wwwdwatcm.wr.usgs.gov/realtime/htmls/green.html
Status Report: Strategic Assessment
The Technical Committee has begun work on the Strategic Assessment as outlined in the workplan. Workgroups have begun work on a number of specific tasks including:
· Initiating the update of the WRIA 9 Technical Strategy Working Paper,
· Initiating the historic condition analysis for WRIA 9,
· Characterizing current conditions in WRIA 9,
· Continuing work to evaluate the limiting factors in WRIA 9,
· Initiating work to characterize functional linkages between habitat conditions and salmon survival with a model, and
· Strategizing on how to better coordinate research efforts.
The WRIA 9 Technical Strategy Working Paper update is anticipated to be complete in June 2003. Initial subgroup recommendations for this effort include:
· Identifying near-term focus areas if feasible,
· Adding a new section to the technical strategy that addresses monitoring and adaptive management,
· Ensuring coverage of key technical questions from the lead entity guidance, and
· Editing "critical habitat" language throughout the document to avoid confusion with Endangered Species Act-related "designated critical habitats."
The Working Paper helps to inform actions that we can take now to improve habitat for salmon. For example, the Working Paper helps to identify and prioritize projects and studies for grant funding.
The Historic Conditions Analysis for WRIA 9 was initiated by developing a general guidance document, a document template for each subwatershed, and the formation of four subwatershed workgroups. Each workgroup has generated specific research questions related to their specific subwatershed and has begun the task of compiling information to develop narratives and maps. These narratives and maps will depict pre-settlement conditions as well as significant post-settlement events that affected the habitat conditions in each subwatershed.
The Technical Committee is moving forward with the King Conservation District-funded mapping efforts for the Lower Green/Duwamish and Nearshore areas. This work will likely be completed during the next field season this summer.
Limiting factors research in WRIA 9 continues to address the juvenile salmonid survival data gap with the development of a juvenile salmonid research framework. It also includes continued field sampling throughout the middle and lower portions of the watershed as part of the Juvenile Salmonid Survival Study (see also “Science News” below).
The Technical Committee recommended funding for Phase I of this year's King Conservation District proposal for characterizing functional linkages. Phase I includes a comparative study of available models and an evaluation of which model, if any, is best suited for WRIA 9 planning efforts. If a suitable model is identified in Phase I, Phase II will consist of its application.
Finally, the Technical Committee formed a workgroup to begin developing a strategy for coordinating research efforts. This would include both those projects that are "internal" to the WRIA planning process as well as independent studies occurring within WRIA 9.
Status Report: Habitat Plan
The Planning Work Group has completed compiling and refining goals and objectives statements based on existing WRIA 9 guidance documents and decisions. The statements will become part of the draft Habitat Plan. The overall goal of the Habitat Plan is:
"To protect, rehabilitate and enhance habitat to support viable salmonid populations in response the Endangered Species Act listing of chinook salmon and bull trout using an ecosystem approach. This approach will also benefit other non-listed aquatic species."
The specific goals of the habitat plan are:
· Protect and restore physical, chemical and biological processes and the freshwater, marine and estuarine habitats on which salmonids depend.
· Protect and restore habitat connectivity.
· Protect and improve water quality and quantity conditions to support healthy salmonid populations.
· Provide an implementable plan that supports salmon recovery.
The Steering Committee reviewed Habitat Plan accomplishments in 2002 and its planning focus for 2003 at its January 9 meeting. In coming months, the Planning Work Group will refine introductory sections of the plan focusing on the history of the watershed and the challenges associated with WRIA 9 planning. In late 2003, WRIA 9 committees will begin to synthesize the results of the technical studies by evaluating human impacts and land development in relation to existing and proposed habitat areas. For more information, contact Elaine Kleckner, Plan Manager, , 206-296-8013.
Status Report: Near-Term Action Agenda
Implementation of the Near-Term Action Agenda is ongoing.
Watershed Coordination Services staff are contacting jurisdictions and non-profits now to assemble the first annual progress report to the Steering Committee. If you have been implementing actions recommended in the Near-Term Action Agenda, please contact Dennis Clark, , 206-296-1909, to ensure your contribution to habitat protection and restoration is recorded.
If your jurisdiction needs help in figuring out how to get started in carrying out the NTAA, please contact Doug Osterman, , 206-296-1909 or Dennis Clark, , 206-296-1909.
Featured Implementation Action: Erosion and Sediment Control
Watershed-Wide Action 10 calls for jurisdictions to evaluate and improve erosion and sediment control programs to reduce sediment entering salmon-bearing streams.
Beginning this year, builders with small construction projects in Seattle must submit a plan showing the erosion control measures they will use. To assist in meeting this requirement, the City offers a new prescriptive plansheet (24" X 36"), which provides a quick way for the builder to document erosion control methods and a clear field guide for both builder and inspector. The plansheet contains illustrations of common construction erosion control methods for the builder to select from and can be easily incorporated with building plans. To obtain a plansheet, visit http://www.cityofseattle.net/dclu/news/20021112a.asp.
In a related measure, Seattle now requires an erosion control inspection at the time ground is first disturbed. Learn more at: http://www.cityofseattle.net/dclu/Publications/info/info2002-12.pdf#page=1
Adaptive Management Workshop February 13-14
On February 13 and 14, Washington Trout and Seattle Public Utilities will host a two-day workshop in Seattle called “Making it Work: Strategies for Effective Adaptive Management.”
Because adaptive management is expected to be an important part of the WRIA 9 Habitat Plan, this workshop will be of interest to many of us who are trying to figure out how to translate science into policy.
The goal of the workshop is to learn from real-world experience with adaptive management and to identify strategies for successfully using it as we protect and restore natural resources in the Pacific Northwest. The first day of the workshop focuses on hearing from people attempting to make adaptive management work. The second day is a working session for participants working in small groups to explore strategies for dealing with adaptive management challenges in the context of a hypothetical situation.
There will be no registration fee to encourage broad participation. To register for one or both days, or to find out more about the workshop, please call Andrea Buchanan, Seattle Public Utilities, , 206-615-0828. Registration was requested by February 3 but late registrations, particularly for the first day, will be accepted.
Show Me the Money!
WRIA 9 continues to seek and find financial assistance to carry out the actions recommended in the Near-Term Action Agenda and proposed by WRIA 9 partners:
Salmon Recovery Funding Board Projects Being Reviewed by SRFB
At the end of November, all six project proposals as ranked by the Steering Committee were submitted to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB).
Since then, the projects have been evaluated by a state technical panel for benefits to salmon and certainty of implementation. On February 5, project proponents and Watershed Coordination Services staff will meet with the technical panel to answer its questions and discuss the merits of the proposed projects.
The technical panel will forward its recommendations to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. The Board itself will make the funding decisions in April 2003.
WRIA 9 Forum Awards Two Grants
Letters of congratulations from Forum Chairman, Steven Mullet, were mailed in January to the two most recent grant award winners:
· Soos Creek Area Response (SCAR) project coordinator, Dalice Snider, received a grant of $10,000 to match the $20,000 award from the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Waterworks grant program. The funds will continue the significant fish and wildlife restoration of Hatchery Park, an undeveloped natural area at the confluence of Soos Creek and the Green River next to the Soos Creek hatchery.
· People for Puget Sound Habitat Program Director, Tom Dean, received notification of a $30,000 grant award for the Volunteer Salmon Habitat Restoration and Monitoring Program. The project will implement a habitat restoration project and stewardship to improve six restoration sites throughout the Duwamish estuary.
Additional grant applications will be reviewed in the next several months. For more information, contact Linda Hanson, 206-296-8383, .
Give Me the Money!
Opportunity Fund Grants
The WRIA 9 Forum has King Conservation District funds to distribute. Learn about it at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/Wrias/9/Fund.htm or contact Linda Hanson, 206-296-8383, .
Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation
The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) has announced workshops for their 2003 grant round. The closest meeting to WRIA 9 is February 6, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Everett. There are two grant programs managed by the IAC that might hold promise for WRIA 9 projects:
· Land and Water Conservation Fund - letters of intent due February 14
· Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program - letters of intent due March 3
See website for details on grants and the workshop: http://www.iac.wa.gov/IACGrants.htm
NOAA Restoration Center Grants
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Restoration Center offers grants for grass roots, community-based restoration programs. Projects focused on anadromous fish species are welcome and encouraged. Applications are due March 3. Learn more at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/funding.html
Science News
Juvenile Salmonid Survival Study Continues
As part of the Strategic Assessment, the WRIA 9 Juvenile Salmonid Survival Study (JSSS) is continuing. The study began as a pilot in 2001, with just one sampling location (at River Mile 13) and one capture technique (beach seining). In 2002, the study expanded to include two additional downstream sites in the Duwamish. The sampling period was also expanded to cover January-November. In 2003, more sites will be added, including the Elliott Bay nearshore and additional capture methods will be used (net traps).
The 2003 studies involve marking of wild chinook juveniles in the Middle Green with a florescent dye and then recapturing them at several downstream locations. Information from these studies will help us to understand fish growth, migration timing, and rearing strategies of wild chinook in the WRIA. Hatchery chinook will also be collected and insights into the hatchery/wild competition and behavior will be documented.
Tom Nelson, King County and WRIA 9 fish biologist, has written a report on the "2001 Pilot Study: Lower Green River" and it is out for final draft review. For more information on these studies, contact Tom Nelson, 206-296-8012, .
Improved Techniques for Salmonid Sampling in the Nearshore
Thanks to a study sponsored by the City of Seattle, researchers now have a better understanding of how to sample juvenile salmonids in the Puget Sound nearshore. This University of Washington study developed and tested a variety of sampling methods. It identified those that will be most effective in conducting studies of salmonid abundance and behavior. To see the study, visit: http://fish.washington.edu/Publications/pdfs/0301.pdf.
Moving Dirt, Planting Trees
Mullen Slough
In December, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation-funded portion of the Lower Mullen Slough Nursery Restoration Project was completed. Specific tasks included:
· Planting nearly 500 conifer trees,
· Installing a gate to prevent unauthorized vehicular access to the site, and
· Cutting of non-native, invasive plant species in the southeastern corner of the site and covering it with over 38,000 square feet of black weed fabric.
After the conclusion of the 2003 growing season, the weed fabric will be pulled back and the area will be planted with native shrubs and trees to reinforce the riparian buffer along Lower Mullen Slough. This project will improve habitat on Mullen Slough, which is home to coho.
Cecil Moses Memorial Park (North Winds Weir)
Wedged between the Duwamish and Highway 99 in Tukwila is Cecil Moses Memorial Park. It is located across the river from the Duwamish Site 1 restoration site. Outmigrating juvenile salmon - if they reach this area at low tide - will encounter their last white water at this point as the river flows over a rocky sill on the river bottom.
Since December, construction crews have been creating a half-acre of estuarine wetlands here. The resulting intertidal habitat will provide important benefits to fish and wildlife in the Duwamish. This part of the Duwamish estuary is characterized by extensive mixing of fresh and salt waters and is a key transition zone for smolts moving downstream to the Puget Sound nearshore. Chinook and chum, in particular, depend heavily on estuarine habitats such as this.