This project will implement comprehensive restoration and stewardship activities in riparian areas of the Skykomish River (in King County). A functioning and structurally diverse riparian habitat ecosystem will be realized through natural regeneration and planting of native trees/vegetation. This work on public and private land will support (salmon) habitat recovery over an area of about 654 acres and 22 river miles and contribute to improved water quality. This project addresses fundamental processes that are degrading water and habitat quality in the headwaters of King Counties major Rivers. Due to lack of active land manager stewardship, there has been significant displacement of native vegetation by
invasive weeds (particularly invasive knotweeds and butterfly bush) in the Skykomish watershed. This is threatening water and habitat quality through their ability to spread rapidly and displace native riparian buffer vegetation. Resulting losses in shade, erosion control and buffering potential of riparian corridors adversely impacts water quality (as reflected by TMDL reports). This project aims to restore and maintain healthy riparian ecosystem functioning through a comprehensive replacement of invasive weeds with native vegetation, both planted and through natural regeneration. Environmental benefits include: a) enhanced native plant communities; b) reduced water temperature by increasing shade along key reaches, c) improved water quality through enhanced hydrogeomorphological functioning of riparian buffers; d) improved microclimate, cover, resting and feeding opportunities for native fauna; and e) improved long-term community stewardship capacity for these riparian environments.