Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM) surveyed Woods Creek and Pilchuck River within the Snohomish River basin to identify small farms and commercial stables with potential water quality problems. Twenty-three sites were identified in this survey. SWM contacted landowners in the two watersheds and assessed the potential water quality impacts from each site.

The landowners at 3 sites agreed to participate in the program. Each of these sites is a small horse farm within the West Fork of Woods Creek. Across the three sites approximately 4700 lineal feet of animal exclusion fencing was installed and over 24,000 native plants were planted by staff, volunteers, and by the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC).