Pierce County proposes to acquire twenty (38.81 acres) of the remaining thirty seven (88.4 acres) private floodplain parcels between river miles 6.4 and 8.4 of the Carbon River along Alward Road near Orting.  The parcels include both developed and undeveloped properties. The proposal includes removal of existing structures from developed properties.  All properties will be kept as open space in perpetuity.  This project builds upon SRFB project 13-1422 and other County efforts to acquire all floodplain parcels within the project reach.  Once all parcels have been acquired, the County can begin measures to setback the existing levee in order to reconnect approximately 150 acres of floodplain to the Carbon River. This reach of the river is used by all species of salmonids including Chinook, steelhead and bull trout.  The proposed acquisitions will advance Pierce County’s Alward Levee Setback Project which will allow the existing levee to be removed and natural processes to re-engage the floodplain.  The setback levee will promote the creation of a variety of habitat types including side channels, backwater channels, deep complex pools, spawning habitat and summer and winter rearing habitat.  As new, sinuous channels develop, there will be a significant increase in the development of shallow edge habitat along the expanding channel system, increasing fry and juvenile rearing opportunities.  There is currently very little floodplain side channel habitat in this reach of river.