FY18 Stillaguamish Tribe Riparian Buffer Restoration and Nursery Operations Support

The Stillaguamish Tribe expanded and enhanced riparian forests on three properties known as Haag, Segelsen, and Trafton. At the Trafton property, riparian restoration focused on invasive and noxious weed control. Habitat restoration site maintenance was completed at the recently restored Haag and Segelsen properties. Lastly, the project supported nursery operations that produced native plants suitable for the properties and culturally significant. Nursery operations occurred at an existing Tribal nursery.

Objectives completed by worksite:

• Trafton – 8-acre work area; pre-planting weed control

• Haag – 6-acre work area; stewardship weed control; supplemental maintenance of riparian planting to ensure target density for native plants (500 plants were planted)

• Segelsen – 10-acre work area; stewardship weed control; supplemental maintenance of riparian planting to ensure target density for native plants (1100 plants were planted)

Note: This project served as match for RCO project #16-1638. However, RCO project #16-1638 has metrics for acquisition only, while this project has metrics for restoration. All habitat treatment metrics have been circulated and reviewed between the Stillaguamish Tribe, RCO and NWIFC to ensure there is no duplication in reporting.

The goal of the project is to expand and enhance riparian forests along Chinook bearing waters of the Stillaguamish River. This will be accomplished by controlling non-native, invasive, and noxious weeds, and planting and maintaining native conifers, deciduous trees, and shrubs. The purpose of the project is to improve habitat benefits such as increased shade, floodplain roughness, and future large wood for recruitment to the channel to benefit Chinook and other salmon. All metrics have been circulated and reviewed between the Stillaguamish Tribe, RCO and NWIFC to ensure there is no duplication in reporting.