DESCRIPTION
Mid-Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group completed physical investigations as well as landowner and community outreach to inform and develop several conceptual design alternatives for estuary restoration at Point No Point in Kitsap County. The Point No Point Estuary Restoration Project was identified in the Shared Strategy Development Committee, 2007. Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan, Seattle, WA, West Sound watershed chapter. Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group initially proposed, with this project, to develop a preliminary design for restoration of the Point No Point barrier embayment, building upon the conceptual design, feasibility study, and landowner outreach already completed. But the project’s proximity to infrastructure, a major flood event in December 2022, and challenges already facing the local community necessitate a more robust analysis of stormwater within and adjacent to the project footprint to inform project viability and address landowner questions and concerns prior to selecting and moving forward on a design alternative. The original cost estimate for the project was $280,610, comprised of $196,426 of ESRP funds, $61,337 of SRFB funds, and $22,847 other sponsor match. During the course of the contract, the project cost increased to $363,585 to support more extensive landowner and community outreach and surface water model development. The final contract was comprised of $254.509 of ESRP funds (a $58,083 of ESRP funds cost increase), $61,337 of SRFB funds, $15,437 of PSAR funds, and $22,847 other sponsor match.
The primary goal of this project was, ultimately, to restore tidal influence and fish access to the Point No Point marsh complex, improving habitat conditions for out-migrating juvenile Chinook salmon and other salmonids, and a suite of other species including forage fish & eelgrass beds. Additional goals for this project - the top ranked project out of 420 potential Puget Sound Chinook recovery nearshore habitat projects for juvenile Chinook on the Puget Sound in the West Sound Nearshore Integration and Synthesis Report (2016) - included improving cross-shore connectivity and sediment transport processes, and the removal of physical barriers to fish passage on the property allowing tidal inundation and fish access to up to 32 acres of freshwater wetlands that were historically salt marsh but were cut off from saltwater over the last century by dikes and a tide gate.
Mid Sound achieved the following primary objectives of this design project:(1) additional stakeholder and landowner engagement efforts; (2) additional hydrology, groundwater, and geotechnical data collection (3) wetland and habitat surveys; and (4) cultural resources assessment. Project deliverables included: (1) a Restoration Alternatives Analysis Report, including a Public Comment Summary and Next Steps (both technical and non-technical) required to determine project viability, select a preferred alternative, and proceed with design, if warranted, and (2) a stand-alone memorandum summarizing Community Outreach.