DESCRIPTION
Kitsap County Department of Public Works Surface and Stormwater Management (SSWM) Program is proposing a restoration project that will re-engage Clear Creek with its historical floodplain and restore 30 acres of floodplain, off-channel wetland, and riparian habitat within Clear Creek in Silverdale, WA. Previous disturbances to the creek, floodplain, and riparian areas have resulted from retail and commercial developments, roads, and culverts, in addition to agricultural impacts such as ditching and channelization. The project objectives include a) enhancing natural wetland and floodplain function by removing 3,100 feet of Schold Road NW to expand the stream channel across the floodplain, b) installing large woody debris to improve in-stream habitat and create complexity within the channel, c) removing 20 acres of invasive vegetation and d) replanting with native conifers and shrubs. This project will improve salmon habitat and reduce the negative impacts of stormflows on coho, chum, steelhead, cutthroat and rainbow trout.