DESCRIPTION
North Olympia Salmon Coalition will conduct a feasibility study to restore the Morse Creek Estuary, east of Port Angeles, WA. The goal is to produce a multi-benefit project that will relocate a Four Seasons Ranch septic drain field away from the shoreline and restore ~11 acres of Morse Creek estuarine habitat. Project feasibility will be determined through an engineer-led site, geomorphic and hydraulic assessment to inform design, a study of septic drain field relocation alternatives, and a facilitated multi-stakeholder engagement process. The resulting project will improve both the resiliency of the Four Seasons Ranch community and the viability of critical salmon populations that utilize Morse Creek and its estuary. With the exception of the Elwha and Dungeness rivers, Morse Creek is perhaps historically the most significant salmon stream in the Eastern Strait sub-region. It provides spawning and rearing habitat to ESA-listed Puget Sound Chinook, ESA-listed Puget Sound Steelhead, and ESA-listed Bull Trout, Puget Sound Coho, pink, sockeye, and fall chum.