This planning and acquisition project was the initial phase of the Moon Valley restoration project. The encompassing goals of this project are to restore floodplain connectivity, salmon spawning and rearing habitat, and native riparian vegetation along the Big Quilcene River in the Moon Valley reach. Four agricultural parcels were intended to be purchased, one owned by Dora and Mike Whittaker, and three owned by Mark Baclawski. Of these four parcels, the funding received in this grant was only adequate to purchase the Whittaker parcel due in part to high property values and other unforeseen costs. Multiple cultural resource surveys were completed on the Whittaker parcel, and four culturally modified trees were identified. These trees will be protected during future restoration work. Two of the existing houses were removed from the property and relocated nearby to serve as rental options for the local community. The remaining structures and associated utilities and materials were demolished and removed from the site. Tenants living on site were successfully relocated. The only thing remaining on the property is a group b well that serves a number of neighboring properties. Extensive relocation and groundwater surveys were completed, and a new location for the group b well has been determined. The group b well will be moved prior to restoration construction. Because the Baclawski parcels could not be acquired with the #16-1494 grant, they have been included in the scope of the #19-1285 grant which targets the neighboring Pollard parcel. Acquisition negotiations have continued for the 3 Baclawski parcels, and a recent boundary line adjustment survey has been completed that will combine the most desirable sections of the three parcels into one. A purchase and sale agreement was signed in July 2021 with Mark Baclawski and we are thankful that this acquisition will still be able to occur. A 30% preliminary design was completed for the project in mid 2020. The design reconnects the Big Quilcene River to the floodplain in Moon Valley by creating a new meandering channel with a bed elevation much higher than the existing condition. Hydraulic modeling associated with the design shows that this new channel configuration will reduce flood velocities significantly and cause high flows to exit the channel and disperse over the floodplain. This will restore healthy sediment dynamics in the reach and create a vibrant riparian ecosystem, both of which will create ideal habitat for juvenile and adult salmon. A LiDAR flight was commissioned in order to have the most accurate elevation data possible for the development of project designs. Throughout the grant performance period, noxious weeds have been treated. Knotweed and Himalayan Blackberry were specifically targeted.