DESCRIPTION
The proposed project is a restoration project that will result in the removal of a 825 ft and a 425 ft levee consisting of a total of 7,300 Cubic Yards of fill material from the southern part of the Union River Estuary on Hood Canal. A 500 foot setback levee will be constructed further inland allowing for the re-connection of 7 acres of estuarine wetland habitat that will benefit juvenile Hood Canal Summer Chum salmon. Removing two levees allows for hydrologic reconnection and restores sediment processes to several historic distributary channels. These channels in the marsh plain will carry organic matter and nutrients from the upland riparian ecosystem into the salt marsh. An increase in channels will lead to a higher availability of foraging options for chum salmon.
Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is proposing a restoration project in an area known as the Theler wetlands in the Union River estuary. This project will result in the removal of two levees (825 ft. and a 425 ft.) consisting of a total of 7,300 Cubic Yards of fill material from the southern part of the Union River Estuary on Hood Canal. A 500 foot setback levee (not funded through this grant) will be constructed further inland, allowing for the re-connection of 7 acres of estuarine wetland habitat that will benefit juvenile Hood Canal Summer Chum salmon.
