Skagit Basin Riparian Stewardship

The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) has partnered with numerous landowners to address vegetation management needs on ten restored properties in the Skagit River basin. The goal is to ensure the success of the previously revegetated riparian and floodplain areas by removing competing vegetation, controlling invasive species, and planting additional native trees and shrubs. All of the sites are within the Tier 1 target area identified in the Skagit Watershed Councils 2010 Strategic Approach. The initial projects were all successful at installing and initiating the spatial extent and structure needed to form habitat processes. However, additional maintenance is needed because the short time frames of original grants do not allow for full project success. Projects require at least five years of maintenance to be successful. Additional effort strategically applied at this stage gets sites to self-sustainability faster. This work will improve fish habitat in the Skagit River and the Sauk River by restoring riparian and floodplain structure and function. All riparian stewardship sites benefit ESA-listed Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. This grant was originally part of the Skagit River System Cooperative (SRSC) application #19-1422 and was separated for administrative efficiencies.

Stewardship of previously completed riparian plantings, thus improving riparian floodplain habitat benefitting all life stages of ESA-listed Chinook, steelhead, coho, chum and pink salmon.