Remove contaminated sediment, sediment replacement, softening of rip-rap shoreline with gravel/cobble mix, restore eelgrass beds, restore sand lance spawning.

In 2002 Pierce County purchased two tideland parcels 8950002670 and 8950002662 located on Ruston Way in Tacoma. The parcels (1.4 acres total) were purchased with Conservation Futures funding with the intention of donating the property to WA Department of Natural Resources. The parcels have documented sandlance spawning habitat and eelgrass beds, and are adjacent to the outlet of Puget Creek. Prior to accepting the properties, DNR requested a phase I and II environmental analysis. During the Phase II investigation heavy metals contamination was found, including arsenic, lead, zinc, and copper. These heavy metals are often characteristic of contamination associated with the ASARCO Smelter at Ruston. In addition, the site has buried wood debris from past lumber mill operations. The decay of wood debris is thought to generate hydrogen sulfide that inhibits the growth of eelgrass. The project goals include improving salmon marine rearing habitat by remediation of the contaminated sediments, removal of buried wood waste, replanting of eelgrass through the bouy deployed seeding method, restoration of the forage fish spawning habitat, and softening of the shoreline armoring adjacent to Ruston Way by the placement of fish-mix gravel. Educational signage is also planned. Previous restoration actions at the site include the removal of 34 creosote-treated pilings in February 2005.