The project site (T19N, R3W, S19) for LWD recruitment and supplementation is located within the Squaxin Island Tribes homeland boundaries between RM 1.0 and 2.0 of Skookum Creek. This watershed is included in the usual and accustomed grounds of the Squaxin Island Tribe (SIT) reserved in 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty with the U.S. Government.
Declines in habitat quantity and quality along with poor ocean returns threaten the continued survival of naturally reproducing chum and coho populations of Skookum Creek. Timing is critical because land-use change is accelerating in this valley and threatening salmonid habitat.
SIT proposes the addition of large amounts of LWD in the channel of Skookum Creek in Phase II of this watershed restoration to mitigate for channel impairment. This supplement will be in the mainstem of Skookum Creek and will create pool-riffle and cover structure. Also, flood prone width will be created inside an incised channel. Each phase is an intermediate step until the riparian buffers mature sufficiently to reestablish the process of natural wood recruitment into the stream channel.
Literature (Montgomery et al, 2003; Abbe et al, 2003) supports the ecological role and overwhelming importance of LWD in Northwest streams. Without regular and ongoing recruitment of large confers into the stream channel, channel hydraulics and the ability to transport and store sediment has become impaired. Phase I of this restoration will be completed this summer (2005).
