This grant will help purchase approximately 3.7 upland acres and 4 tideland acres near the community of Eastsound on Orcas Island and expand the existing Judd Cove Preserve to provide safe public access to the beach. This acquisition will add upland forest, shellfish beds, healthy eelgrass beds, and herring spawn habitat, providing important foraging areas for waterfowl, harbor seals, Chinook Salmon and many other species. Judd Cove has a long history of commercial use. If acquisition funding is awarded, SJCLB will purchase the property in the fall of 2008, close the log transport facility and begin the nearshore restoration. DNR will remove all creosote pilings and the dock itself. The SJCLB will remove the riprap bulkhead improving natural shoreline processes. Removal of overwater structures will enable eelgrass beds to expand and increase herring spawn habitat. With only seven public shoreline access points around all of Orcas Island, local recreation and parks plans identify the urgent need for more. A short walk down a dirt road will lead visitors to this beautiful pocket estuary with a historic lime kiln and scenic year round waterfall . Kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, bird and wildlife watching, beach combing and other passive recreation activities will make the Judd Cove Preserve a treasured place for residents and visitors alike. SJCLB plans to link Judd Cove to the Turtleback Mountain Preserve, creating a rare ridgeline to shoreline trail connection through 800 acres of conservation property in Crow Valley.