The City of Kent used this funding to complete a feasibility study and 30% design report on creating off channel rearing habitat and a wetland area connected to the lower portion of Mill Creek/Auburn just upstream of its confluence with the Green River. The intent of this work would be to provide Chinook and other salmonids with habitat refuge during high winter flows and rearing habitat during summer low-flow, to increase access to floodplain habitat and to restore floodplain functions. The project also included studies determine the feasibility of connecting the side channel to the main stem of the Green River, and the possible reuse of soil on site. Project-specific site investigations and evaluations raised concerns regarding the viability of the original conceptual design and led to a proposed alternative conceptual design for the side channel to connect directly to the Green River. This alternative design best meets the restoration objectives: 1) to provide off-channel refuge habitat during high river flows; 2) to enhance riparian habitat in the project area; 3) to increase low-flow rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids in the project reach; 4) to increase wetland area; and 5) to increase floodplain storage. The Feasibility Study and 30% Design document was submitted to the RCO office on March 9, 2009. The revised design as submitted in the report represents an improvement over the original conceptual design and also supports the objectives enunciated in the Habitat Restoration Plan for the Lower Green River (WRIA 9, 2005).