FY19 and FY20 Stillaguamish Tribe Riparian Buffer Restoration

The Stillaguamish Tribe Natural Resources Department (NRD) expanded and enhanced riparian forests on worksites adjacent to Chinook-bearing waters of the Stillaguamish River. We performed restoration of Riparian Habitat, Habitat Restoration Site Maintenance, and Nursery Operations for native plant production. Project-related activities occurred on properties known as Trafton, Zis a ba, Howell Fisheries Trust, and Segelsen. The Monroe Corrections Complex (MCC) offenders crew supported NRD staff by completing manual and mechanical weed control as well as riparian planting.

At the time of application for the FY19 scope of work, we identified two worksites known as Trafton and Zis a ba. At the time of application for the FY20 scope of work, we identified three worksites known as Trafton, Zis a ba, and Segelsen. Due to consistent worksites identified in the applications, we collaborated with Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) staff to combine the projects.

In 2022, we added an additional worksite: Howell Fisheries Trust. The worksite was originally included in the scope of work for a Recreation and Conservation Office grant (Salmon Recovery Funding Board #16-1539). However, during the planting phase we went over-budget and finished the planting using FY19 & FY20 PCSRF funds with permission of grant managers. Metrics associated with the Howell FT worksite have been pro-rated in coordination with RCO and NWIFC staff to avoid duplication in reporting.

The project was completed in February 2024.





Trafton – 13.54-acre work area; Pre- and post-planting weed control; Habitat restoration site maintenance underplanting to restore conifers within an existing deciduous-dominated riparian forest buffer (150 plants, 0.37 RM)

Zis a ba – 2.4-acre work area; Pre- and post-planting weed control; Habitat restoration site maintenance to restore riparian scrub-shrub buffer (1445 plants, 0.67 RM)

Segelsen– 5.62-acre work area; Pre- and post-planting weed control; New riparian planting to establish riparian forest buffer (2716 plants, 0.15 RM)

Howell Fisheries Trust – 5.0-acre work area; Pre- and post-planting weed control; New riparian planting to establish riparian forest buffer (3230 plants, 0.12 RM)

The purpose of the project is to improve poor riparian habitat conditions described in the Stillaguamish Watershed Chinook Salmon Recovery Plan (2005) as one of the six factors limiting Chinook salmon productivity in the Stillaguamish Watershed. Work tasks include non-native, invasive, and noxious weed control; riparian planting; and production of native plants in quantities suitable for the identified work areas and culturally significant for Stillaguamish Tribe. The outcome of the project will include habitat benefits such as increased shade, floodplain roughness, and future large wood for recruitment to the channel to benefit Chinook and other salmon.





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.