2022 Collaborative Skagit Riparian Planting A

Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG), in coordination with the Skagit Watershed Council Lead Entity is requesting funds to conduct riparian restoration in the Skagit River Watershed to restore habitat in floodplain areas for Chinook. This coordinated proposal focuses on riparian and floodplain planting projects and will engage major landowners and partners Seattle City Light, the Skagit Land Trust, and The Nature Conservancy to address riparian restoration needs in Tier 1 priority areas. These riparian floodplain areas are in public ownership or conservation status, but have been degraded as a result of past land use activities.

The primary restoration goal at all sites is to protect and restore functional riparian and floodplain forests and address riparian restoration needs (including invasive species) in Tier 1 priority areas. All sites are currently within conservation ownership, and all proposed restoration includes new invasive species treatments and native plantings.

This project will primarily benefit Chinook salmon through restoration of natural riparian forest processes on Tier 1 priority floodplain habitats of mainstem river reaches and associated side channels (Skagit Watershed Council, 2022). The proposed restoration actions will provide a range of habitat types that support spawning, rearing, and migration of Chinook and other salmonid species in the Skagit River.

The goal of this project is to restore native riparian and floodplain forests and improve habitat and water quality for Chinook salmon and other species. This goal will be accomplished by planting native trees and shrubs, and removing invasive species where necessary. This work will help improve future contributions of large woody debris to the Skagit River and side channels. Large woody debris provides habitat complexity and refuge for juvenile salmon. Functioning riparian zones also provide nutrients, shade, and edge habitat complexity for Chinook salmon and other species that utilize these reaches. Treatment of invasive species, including Himalayan blackberry, evergreen blackberry, knotweed, clematis, ivy, policemans helmet, and English holly occur in varied amounts on most sites. These species threaten establishment of native vegetation and decrease habitat values where they are prevalent. Control of invasive species during the project period will help native vegetation reach an established size. Habitat values will be improved year-round, with increased biodiversity, habitat complexity, and soil stability.