The overall project goal is to restore the ecological processes of the Lower Dungeness River. This phase of the project includes the successful acquisition of the 2133 Towne Road (Howat) property, and the demolition of structures, removal of infrastructure, land costs, and related costs of 2133 Towne Road (Howat) & 2747 Towne Road (Tharinger/Yokota), in preparation to determination of the location for the levee/dike setback as proposed in RCO #09-1543. The channel is constrained along the east side by a levee constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1963. As a result of increased flooding on the west bank, a levee was constructed by a private landowner. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) negotiations with the private levee owner to purchase the property on the west side of the river were unsuccessful, as the west bank landowners declined the WDFW offer. Several parcels adjacent to the east dike have been purchased by WDFW in anticipation of levee setback. Two other landowners along the eastern bank have been approached for acquisition of their properties. Targeted properties will be purchased with this project using an additional grant, other property owners will be approached to determine the full potential for dike setback. Dike/levee setback and channel restoration in this reach will provide sorely needed floodplain and side channel habitat. The project will primarily benefit spawning and rearing summer chum, lower river pink salmon, Chinook, bulltrout, steelhead, and all other migratory salmonids.