FY 2016 Implementation and Monitoring of Skagit Salmon Recovery Goals: Planning

During the 07/01/2016 to 01/31/2018 period SRSC reviewed 148 local, state, and federal permits for various types of projects that may have had an adverse effect on salmon and steelhead habitat. SRSC worked with permitting agencies, ESA review agencies, and in some cases land owners to lessen and mitigate for those impacts. SRSC also participated in regulatory update processes to ensure regulations are more protective of salmon and steelhead habitat and to also ensure that regulations were not weakened to lower than current standards. SRSC also participated in the planning and design process of a major highway protection process to ensure the design of this future project is as fish friendly as possible, it is not possible to relocate the highway in this location.

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 control 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 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.