The intent of this project is to purchase land in fee or conservation easements to facilitate the restoration of Boise Creek between RM 1 - 3.

The plan is to initiate efforts to restore Boise Creek between River Miles 1 and 3. This reach of the stream is extremely degraded and currently functions as a large agricultural ditch. The complete restoration effort would take multiple years and significant funding. Steps would include: landowner outreach, feasibility analysis and conceptual design, fundraising, property or conservation easement acquisition, final design and permitting, construction, monitoring, and maintenance.

Boise Creek between RM 1 - 3 is devoid of instream wood, lacks significant riparian vegetation, and has very little fluvial meander. In addition, regular flooding takes place, which discourages agricultural landowners who own property adjacent to the stream. A project that would significantly benefit aquatic and terrestrial habitat, while providing increase drainage capacity could result in a mutually beneficial project.

The Boise Creek Basin has been significantly degraded by land use activities (Kerwin 1999). Previous straightening of the channel, removal of LWD and riparian vegetation, and land use practices (agriculture) currently prevents re-establishment of streamside vegetation. Various reaches of the stream reflect poor riparian function, impaired water quality, high water temperatures (exceeding 21ºC in some locations in late summer/early fall) (King County 2004a), high sediment load, and low quantities of Large Woody Debris (LWD) (Pierce County 2008). Once Boise Creek leaves the Forest Production District and flows through the golf course and agricultural areas there is a relative lack of tree cover and riparian vegetation, which is the likely cause of the increased water temperatures. High water temperatures exceeding 18 ºC may limit salmonid survival in Boise Creek (King County 2004a).

Boise Creek, a major tributary within the evaluation area, is used by several anadromous fish species including Chinook, chum, pink, and coho salmon, and steelhead. Puget Sound spring Chinook, which is only one of four populations of Chinook in Puget Sound, use Boise Creek for spawning and rearing habitat. Boise Creek also supports listed steelhead, and may support listed bull trout (King County, 2004). Boise Creek remains one of the most productive salmon and steelhead tributaries not only in the White River Basin but also in all of King County. Based on recorded high water temperatures, Boise Creek has been added to Washington State's 303(d) list of impaired water bodies. Salmonid use of Boise Creek is likely limited by these high water temperatures (King County 2004a).