Restoration Planning & Assessment

A GIS model was constructed to analyze physical statistics and biological features of the Jim Creek floodplain. We used input from staff senior biologists to refine and interpret model results. The model returned prioritized lists of land parcels with suitability scores for restoration activities as two separate outputs: parcel suitability for instream habitat restoration and parcel suitability for riparian enhancement activities.

We reached out to landowners in priority reaches. Thus far our outreach efforts have yielded a roughly 30% response (i.e. for every 10 property owners contacted 3 have indicated willingness to proceed to restoration planning phase). The next steps include following up with interested landowners (site visits) and, where appropriate, develop project concepts, preliminary plans, and funding strategies.

The purposes of the project are to identify locations and define activities that will result in maximum benefit to Chinook habitat. By focusing on limiting factors identified in the Stillaguamish Chinook Recovery Plan and targeting the Jim Creek sub-basin we anticipate that a variety of project types will result including floodplain enhancement (e.g. bank armor removal), LWD placement, and riparian forest expansion and enhancement. Jim Creek contains roughly 13 river miles available to Chinook and is a candidate for habitat enhancement

We expect that the activities will develop into projects that, once implemented, will improve habitat diversity, quality, and connectivity for salmonids, primarily ESA-listed species. Chinook are currently found in very low numbers in the South Fork Stillaguamish River, and Jim Creek is one of only a few tributaries where they spawn and rear.