DESCRIPTION
Ducks Unlimited will use WCRI funds to acquire more than 1,750 contiguous acres of highly diverse and threatened habitats along the Washington Coast to protect a unique conservation property, restore the diverse habitats to the highest ecological functions and values, and create public use opportunities that are ecologically and economically compatible with the residents and visitors of the City of Westport, the Grayland Community and Grays Harbor County. Wildlife species using the property include waterfowl, marbled murrelet, bald eagle, Roosevelt elk, deer, black bear and river otters. Community and human uses could be hunting, fishing, hiking, ecotourism, canoeing, biking, and passive wildlife observation. The requested $500,000 is part of a $4 million funding package projected to be needed to complete acquisition. An estimated four FTEs could be created through the acquisition and development of the long-term planning and management.
The Grayland Property is an ~ 1,750 acre parcel located in Grays Harbor County2 miles south of the town of Westport. The property is located in the lower Chehalis Watershed within the Grays Harbor estuary, and is positioned south of State Highway 105 along South Bay.
The Graylands Acquisition Project is an exciting and strategic opportunity to protect a unique and diverse parcel within the Lower Chehalis WRIA. The Property contains more than 1,100 acres of fresh and estuarine wetland habitats, as well as tidal mudflats, old-growth forested uplands, interdunal wet/swale complexes, commercial timber lands, and grasslands. The Property is surrounded by existing conservation lands with Elk River Natural Resource Conservation Area located adjacently to the East and Twin Harbors State Park to the West. It is also located within proximity to other state and federal public lands including Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Johns River Wildlife Area, and Graylands Beach State Park. The habitats of the Property support a diverse assembled of wildlife species including waterfowl, shorebirds, elk, deer, marbled murrelet, bald eagle, black bear and river otters.
The overall objectives of the Project is to protect a unique conservation property on the Washington Coast, restore the diverse habitats to the highest ecological functions and values, and create public use opportunities that are ecologically and economically compatible with the residents and visitors of Westport, City of Grayland, and Grays Harbor County.
