DESCRIPTION
This multi-phased project was focused on restoring tidal connectivity and fish passage as well as addressing stormwater drainage issues associated with an 18-acre brackish lagoon and freshwater marsh system in Greenbank, WA. The project site, most of which is owned by Greenbank Beach and Boat Club (GBBC), is the relic of a larger tidal marsh that occupied the area prior to settlement in the 19th century. In the second phase, GBBC, with support from Whidbey Island Conservation District (WICD), used the results of WICD's 2013 feasibility study and SRFB grant No. 15-1072 "Greenbank Marsh Restoration Issues Assessment" (Phase 1) to develop an engineering design and permit applications for the selected conceptual restoration alternative. The "Greenbank Marsh Restoration Design - Phase 3" attempted to develop a final design and permitting, a saltwater intrusion risk assessment and investigations into forming a diking and drainage district. The results of the investigations determined that, while the drinking water acquifer was deep and protected enough that salt water intrusion to private wells was not likely, the risk to flooding of surface water due to increased inundation times could not be affordably mitigated. Therefore, GBBC has determined, upon the advice of subject matter experts, that no future salmon funding would be sought. There was no workable solution found that would provide enough habitat while maintaining a level of inundation that wouldn't increase the surface and
The project will complete final engineering design and submit permit applications for a project to restore tidal connectivity, fish passage and nearshore ecological functions at the Greenbank Marsh coastal wetland system. The proposed restoration work will follow a preliminary design that was approved by GBBC’s membership, which includes removing an existing stormwater outfall and tidegate and replacing them with an open tidal channel and setback dike. Eventual implementation of the project will not only restore Chinook salmon rearing habitat but also address a long-standing local drainage problem.