The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group used this funding for the McElroy Slough Estuary Restoration Project, which has improved tidal processes, fish passage and estuary rearing area for Chinook, coho, chum and cutthroat within the Colony Creek watershed in Skagit County. More than 26 acres along the historic slough channel have been placed under permanent easement via the NRCS Wetland Reserve Program. This project re-opened 1 river mile and 4.75 acres of estuary for anadromous fish use, plus improved access to 5 miles of Colony Creek, 1 mile of Harrison Creek, and 1/2 mile of Whitehall Creek, all of which are used by anadromous fish. In addition, the project has provided flood relief and drainage benefits to the Blanchard community. Project elements included removal of existing culverts and replacement with box culverts. At the slough outlet, all existing culverts were removed (two-72” pipes and one-48” pipe); two-10’ x 6’ box culverts installed with two standard tide flap gates per barrel; and an additional 6 foot culvert with a self regulating tide gate was installed to allow fish passage and limited tidal flow. At the Flinn Road crossing (1/3 mile upstream from the outlet) two existing 72” culverts were replaced with a bridge. These alterations have helped restore historic conditions by improving fish passage, reintroducing saltwater into the system, killing non-native vegetation such as reed canary grass, and recreating natural estuary habitat. Project partners include Skagit County, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).