The goal of this multi-phase project is to re-establish self-sustaining wild summer chum salmon in Big Beef Creek. The early stages of the effort will involve reintroducing the extirpated stock to the watershed in a means that produces sufficient numbers of spawners to reproduce in natural and artificial settings. Inherent in this stage will be careful monitoring of the success rates of each production type. Subsequent stages will involve restoring sufficient habitat and channel stability to support wild self-sustaining runs, restoring estuarine habitat, and preserving key elements of the watershed to maintain adequate riparian function and hydrology. In this phase of the project we will re-establish a spawning channel to create the capacity to produce summer chum using various production types. University and agency scientists will analyze success rates of each production type. We will also, to the extent funds allow, restore habitat by reconnecting a 30-acre wetland and the mainstem of Big Beef Creek. Big Beef Creek, a tributary of Hood Canal, is an extremely important salmon stream. This proposal was developed jointly by scientists from WDFW, NMFS, UW, USFWS, and Point No Point Treaty. The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group will manage the project, with oversight provided jointly by the other cooperators. Permitting is expected by May 1. Construction will commence in July and be completed in August 1999.
