"This proposal is for design of a levee removal project along the Snoqualmie River (at RM 23). The project site is county-owned. The levee impounds a small tributary, a wetland and a historic backwater channel of the Snoqualmie, creating a single open water wetland. The levee has effectively severed the floodplain wetland from its relationship to the Snoqualmie River. Under present conditions, the two habitats are connected only a few hours to a few days per year. Removal of a 115-foot segment of levee would restore 4 acres of off-channel habitat. We are also considering removing bank armoring along an additional 300 feet of revetment adjacent to the levee segment that will be removed. For fish, the benefit will be substantial. The wetland will provide excellent rearing and refuge habitat for juvenile salmonids. The project is located in close proximity to a high concentration of spawners on the Snoqualmie River and is on the migratory path of a vast majority of the Snoqualmie run of Snohomish Fall Chinook. Implementation of this project will be a significant step toward achieving the Snohomish River Basin Salmon Conservation Plan goal of restoring 80 acres of off-channel habitat in the highest priority areas of the Snoqualmie watershed. The grant is specifically for design and permitting of the levee removal project. We anticipate construction would follow in 2008 or 2009."