Restoration of aquatic habitat functions at Turning Basin Number 3 began with a 0.4-acre demonstration site in 1996 and continued with a 1.6-acre habitat compensation project in 1999. The first step in restoring the habitat was to remove derelict vessels that had been abandoned at the upstream end of the navigation channel over a period of decades. The later project included excavation of 33,000 tons of industrial fill to create intertidal mud/sand flat and emergent plantings in former upland area. Approximately 0.3 acres of native riparian vegetation and approximately 0.4 acres of emergent plants were installed. The entire site planting was accomplished by volunteers, students and job trainees. Initial marsh plantings disappeared entirely within six weeks of installation, due to feeding by Canada geese. When replanted it was necessary to fence the new plantings to prevent grazing until the plantings were established. Intertidal marsh plantings and native
riparian shrubs and trees were well developed at the restoration site three years following completion of excavation and grading. Once mature, the marsh plants will withstand waterfowl predation. It is important to note that Turning Basin Number Three has also received important fish and wildlife habitat restoration work in recent years sponsored by federal agencies, natural resource trustees, King County, and the City of Seattle. Hamm Creek formerly discharged to the Duwamish Waterway through a piped storm drain outfall, near river mile 4.5. In 2000, Federal agencies and resource trustees, in partnership with King County and the City of Seattle, created an open stream corridor to re-route Hamm Creek to the northwest margin of Turning Basin Number Three, creating approximately seven acres of fresh water stream channel, surrounded by dense native riparian vegetation plantings. In 2005, federal agencies and trustees accomplished approximately one acre of habitat restoration at the southwest corner of the turning basin, including removal of a creosote piling dock and derelict structures and installing approximately 15,000 square feet of marsh and riparian vegetation. In 2007, the City of Seattle added to the restored area in the southwest corner of Turning Basin Number Three, successfully removing approximately 0.4 acres of previously placed fill and stabilizing approximately 400 linear feet of bank line with large woody debris and riparian plantings, complemented by removal of invasive plants in approximately 2.1 acres adjacent to the shoreline site, and replanting the cleared area with native vegetation to establish an upland buffer area. Description taken from the Port of Seattle Lower Duwamish River Habitat Restoration Plan (2009).