FIP TA: Tidal Wetland Assessment, Prioritization, and Conceptual Design

This project occurs in the Yaquina and Alsea estuaries and prioritizes actions for tidal wetland restoration and conservation. In 1999 an assessment of opportunities and priorities for 79 tidal wetlands was conducted. New information is now available related to priority landward migration sites (for sea level rise resiliency), historic and current tidal swamp locations, and updated tide gate and barrier information that needs to be incorporated and the sites reprioritized to hone our work for the Focused Investment Partnership. This project will conduct engineering design work to reprioritize ten barrier fix sites and produce 10-30% conceptual designs for each. Partners will include Mid Coast Watershed Council, Ducks Unlimited Inc, Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation District, Lincoln County Public Works, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and associated private landowners.

This TA project will allow us to prioritize future design and restoration projects to restore full fish access to tidal wetlands by removing barriers, replacing with correctly sized structures and restoring upstream habitat to enhance productivity, and increase areas for shelter, winter refuge, and growth. The project will benefit chum, coho and Chinook salmon. The importance of quality estuarine habitat is well known for chum salmon. Chum salmon fry move to estuaries soon after they absorb their yolk sacs, and drift throughout the estuary with tidal flows. Restoring access to tidal creeks, sloughs and enhanced marshes provide these fry with vital forage habitat. Coho salmon and Chinook that move into tidal channels and stay for longer periods benefit from rich terrestrial derived as well as aquatic food sources and grow faster, entering the ocean at larger sizes, and returning at higher rates than their freshwater cousins.