Pierce County is requesting $500,000 through the 2026 Brian Abbot Fish Barrier Removal Board grant to advance design plans for the removal of Chambers Creek Dam. These dam removal plans are a necessary component of the overall Chambers Bay Estuary Restoration project. Removal of the Chambers Creek Dam removes the furthest downstream fish passage barrier for to allow for rearing and spawning habitat throughout Chambers Creek, Flett Creek and Peach Creek. The dam removal component of this project will allow for reestablishment of natural tidal processes and is a primary step to restore up to 180 acres of estuary habitat and open 8.63 miles of pristine upstream habitat to five species of salmon, including Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead trout. These species are essential to the ecological health of Puget Sound and play a vital role in supporting recovery efforts for threatened populations. This funding will allow Pierce County to complete the 60% and 90% design plans for dam removal, an essential component of this restoration effort. Advancing these designs will ensure the project can move forward to implementation and deliver long-term ecological benefit for these salmon species.