DESCRIPTION
The project will restore full tidal function to 113 acres and remove 10 fish barrier culverts that block fish access to tidal wetlands. Pilings will also be removed from the main Hoquiam channel at the mouth of the largest channel to be reopened. The tidal openings are in three areas, the Northern Tributaries, the Southern Loop wetland and the Northern Loop wetland. Three culverts will be removed from the Northern Tributaries and one site filled back in to focus tidal flows to the two streams there. There's one main tidal channel that will be opened at the Southern Loop and three openings for the Northern Loop including one very large excavation to reopen the mouth of that channel. All these tidal culverts and channels will be opened to match the channel size and we'll excavate adjacent tidal benches to facilitate full tidal function. Other sections of the railroad berm will be left intact. Three other non-tidal fish barrier culverts will be opened between the Northern Tributaries and the Northern Loop area.
The project will restore full tidal function to 153 acres of estuary floodplain and remove 10 fish barrier culverts that block fish access to 3.5 miles of streams and tidal wetlands in the lower Middle Fork Hoquiam River on land owned and managed by the Chehalis River Basin Land Trust (CRBLT). Restoration will involve reopening tidal channels, removing selected piles and permanently removing stream culverts throughout the CRBLT ownership. Grays Harbor Conservation District (District) will sponsor the project for CRBLT. The tidal openings are in three areas, the Northern Tributaries, the Southern Loop wetland and the Northern Loop wetland. Three culverts will be removed from the Northern Tributaries and one site filled back in to focus tidal flows to the two streams there. There's one main tidal channel that will be opened at the Southern Loop and three openings for the Northern Loop including one very large excavation to reopen the mouth of that channel. All these tidal culverts and channels will be opened to match the channel size and we'll excavate adjacent tidal benches to facilitate full tidal function at higher, overbank tides. Other sections of the railroad berm will be left intact. Three other non-tidal fish barrier culverts will be opened between the Northern Tributaries and the Northern Loop area.We will also underplant spruce trees within 45 acres of alder dominated riparian forest to speed the development of conifer dominated forest composition.
