Hart Slough Easements

Hart Slough easements will permanently protect, via conservation easements, 474 acres of riparian and river slough habitat and associated wetlands between Hart Slough and the Skagit River. Located west of the City of Sedro Woolley, the property is within the targeted floodplain reaches for coho salmon as outlined in the Skagit Watershed Councils Strategic Approach. The site contains critical off-channel rearing habitat for coho, chinook, and cutthroat.



Currently, approximately 254 acres exist in riparian and slough/wetland habitat. Landowners have agreed to convert at least 100 acres of existing agricultural land, which includes relic channels or swales, into riparian habitat, for a total of 354 acres. The remaining 120 acres of farmland will continue in agricultural production, subject to recommendations of the Hart Slough restoration feasibility study (SRFB 99-1645); no SRFB funds will be used to protect farmland.



Protection of this large, visible property will increase the likelihood that other landowners will volunteer to protect salmon habitat. Additionally, the project will increase support and awareness within the agricultural community for salmon protection. Both landowners are over 65 years old and in uncertain financial condition. They have received inquiries about selling their property to developers. Selective timber harvesting could also impact the existing riparian forest. Delays in funding the protection of this property may result in the sale of the property to less conservation-minded owners.

The goal of the project is to protect intact habitat from degradation. The objective of the project is to protect salmon refugia and habitat that is part of a key ecological process.