DESCRIPTION
Working with the local community, tribes, agencies, NGOs and the public, Jefferson County will undertake an assessment of the Brinnon Flats in order to develop resiliency and action plans and conceptual designs for maximizing the quantity and quality of available fish habitat in the main and side channels and estuary. The plans will balance the needs of salmonids with community objectives. Climate-related changes are expected to put further strain on aquatic species already stressed by human impacts on habitat and are expected to increase flood related property damage, and these will also be addressed. Flows typical for targeted salmon life histories will be modeled and conceptual designs developed. The project will achieve four linked objectives: 1) Identify an "ecological corridor" to reduce flood damage expenditures and improve natural floodplain processes over the longer term 2) Survey and engage landowners and interested parties utilizing a conceptual framework for equity, diversity and inclusion to promote fair treatment and full participation; 3) Identify and prioritize actions to improve resiliency, and 4) Develop conceptual designs for all participating landowners to balance community needs. Existing LiDAR and other information will be analyzed and used in combination with a new physical habitat assessment and 2D hydraulic model to generate CMZ and other maps.
Working with Washington State Parks, tribes, agencies, NGOs, landowners, consultants and the public, Jefferson County will conduct comprehensive Phase I assessment and planning activities with the goal of restoring habitat for Hood Canal Summer Chum and Puget Sound Chinook salmon in the lower Dosewallips River floodplain, estuary and lower nearshore. The project will develop and run a 2D hydrologic model across a range of flows of importance to these species; perform habitat assessments for 300 acres of the floodplain and estuary, 200 acres of the lower nearshore, and 3.85 miles of shorelines; update channel migration zone risks in light of current conditions as well as sea level and climate impacts projections, and survey vegetation. Modeling and assessment outcomes will be discussed with community members at meetings of the Dosewallips River Collaborative advisory group and through individual landowner and participant interviews and site visits. The restoration and resiliency plan will include a description of existing conditions, projections of climate change impacts, delineation of ecological corridor(s) to sustain habitat forming processes and flood flows, conceptual designs for habitat improvements, selection of the preferred design and feasibility assessment, results of landowner willingness inquiries, a phased acquisition strategy, and recommendations for additional future actions to include areas for further study, infrastructure modifications and drought mitigation.