This project will conserve up to approximately 800 acres of high quality habitat in the Morse Creek watershed. Currently the City of Port Angeles owns several parcels along Morse Creek in the upper watershed that vary in size, but together total approximately 800 acres. The parcels start near RM 3.5 and extend up to near RM 9 where it meets the Olympic National Park boundary. Possible project sponsors include the North Olympic Land Trust, or tribal or other government entities.

The existing diversion dam was used for water supply and later to generate hydroelectric power. The diversion dam is 10 feet high, 25 feet wide, with a crest elevation of 675 feet. It has not been used for about a decade. The City has indicated that it wants to sell this land. This is a unique and urgent opportunity to acquire and protect this significant habitat. Besides acquisition for protection, a proposed restoration component includes removing the diversion dam. Removal of the diversion dam from Morse Creek will lead to hydrologic and woody debris recovery in the middle section of the watershed. In addition, there is a need for restoring riparian function by encouraging conifer regeneration in existing deciduous stands.

The Elwha Klallam Tribe reports that there is a resident rainbow population above the natural falls that they believe may be a unique population. Resident rainbow trout populations above natural barriers on the Olympic Peninsula are rare. This could be further investigated by collecting samples of the rainbow trout for analysis. Salmon use above the falls could be further researched through both looking in the field and eDNA samples