North Olympic Land Trust will protect some of the best salmon habitat in the Elwha River watershed in perpetuity with this funding. This project will up to 30 acres between river mile 8.1 and 8.3 along the mainstem of the Elwha River with a conservation easement. The property is Priority #10 in the Elwha watershed conservation prioritization tool. This property contains habitat characteristics indicative of the best existing salmon habitat and ecosystem function. The property has 1/3 mile of Elwha River shoreline. More than half of the property is in the floodplain, river meander zone, or at high risk of erosion. Much of the property contains a mature forest canopy, providing shade for the river which keeps water temperature cool for fish. This project will protect and restore habitat for the following ESA – listed species in the Elwha River: Chinook salmon, and steelhead and bull trout. Non-listed stocks of fish will also benefit including Coho, Chum, Pink, and Sockeye salmon and cutthroat trout.