Implementation and Monitoring of Skagit Salmon Recovery Goals: Planning

SRSC reviewed over 100 projects with multiple permits from federal, state, and local regulatory agencies for impact to fisheries resources vital to the Tribes. We provided comments on proposals, project designs, and mitigation alternatives to lessen the impact from projects and to mitigate for unavoidable impacts. SRSC also worked with the USACE on proposed changes to requirements for obtaining a variance from National vegetation standards. These changes, as first proposed, would have had a serious negative impact on salmon and steelhead. It appears that some alternatives may come from the USACE Headquarters that may provide a more workable approach. SRSC provided input for tribal policy on the potential impacts of proposed legislation and regulatory updates to Washington State’s hydraulic permit process. Attempts to streamline permits would have greatly weakened their ability to protect fish.

SRSC participated in the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Implementation Technical Team (RITT). The RITT completed annual written technical evaluations of the success and pace of salmon recovery implementation for individual watershed recovery plan chapters in the Puget Sound Chinook Recovery Plan. Wrote technical evaluations of recovery plan chapters for Skokomish Chinook. Continued development of technical documents for development of an addaptive management framework for Chinook recovery.

SRSC engaged in dialog with the Navy toward developing the Dugualla Bay project. Efforts were made toward securing funding to develop design alternatives and those efforts are ongoing. SRSC continues to work with the Navy toward development of the project.

Funds supported baseline monitoring efforts at several delta restoration projects such as Camano State Park, Crescent Creek, Carpenter Creek, Smokehouse Floodplain and McGlinn fill removal site. Funding supported staff costs at executing project design criteria, baseline topography, vegetation and geomorphic reports, wetland delineations and other supporting data collection for permit submission.

The project will have direct and tangible benefit to salmon and steelhead by averting potential impacts to habitat via design and permit review, examination of flood and other policies, and by requiring appropriate mitigation in cases where impacts are unavoidable. Finally, participation in and providing technical support to local stakeholder groups and Lead Entities will help ensure that goals related to salmon recovery are incorporated into environmental solutions, while project evaluations will provide important information and planning to guide future projects.
This work will improve the prioritization and sequencing of habitat restoration and protection projects at the local watershed (lead entity) and link action done at the local watershed scale to actions done at the Puget Sound ESU.