The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group used this funding to undertake the WDFW Big Quilcene Estuarine Dike Removal project, which is positioned in the intertidal zone and the beach (sub-tidal zone). The entire Quilcene Estuarine Wetlands Restoration and Protection Project returns 50 acres of coastal wetland habitat to properly functioning conditions for the benefit of numerous healthy and imperiled fish and wildlife species. The project was identified in the Hood Canal/Water Resources Inventory Area (WRIA) 17 Limiting Factors Analysis (Washington State Conservation Commission 2002) as a Tier 1 (most important habitat), Priority 1 (most important project) project for the recovery of several Hood Canal salmonid species listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Work accomplished included 1) completely removing approximately 2,000 feet of saltwater levee surrounding an abandoned WDFW fish pond, 2) reestablishing a properly functioning tidal channel network, and 3) reestablishing appropriate plant communities on adjacent emergent wetlands. The restored estuarine wetlands will be conserved in perpetuity with a conservation easement.