The restoration of Fisher Slough was identified as a priority in the Skagit Chinook Recovery Plan. The project was intended to break a long-standing deadlock between agriculture and conservation interests over estuary restoration and restore critical Chinook rearing habitat. Project partners included Dike District 3, Skagit County, and Drainage District 17. Restoration included levee setbacks, tidal marsh restoration, and installation of self regulating floodgates. Preliminary engineering design predicted approximately 60 acres of freshwater tidal habitat would be restored, providing enough habitat to support the production of more than 16,000 Chinook smolt, improve water quality and improve fish access to the 22 square mile Carpenter Creek Watershed. In addition, the restoration would provide important flood protection benefits for residents and farmland in the watershed. During the grant period SRFB grant funds were used to replace antiquated floodgates to improve Chinook rearing habitat, maximize tidal influence, improve fish passage and improve water quality within 10 acres of existing marsh habitat. In addition SRFB funds were used toward 1) the levee setback, which made way for the restoration of tidal and stream processes on an additional 50 acres of freshwater tidal marsh, and 2) planting 7640 native trees and shrubs in higher elevation areas of the project site. The Conservancy and its partners used this investment of State funds to leverage an additional $6M to complete all phases of restoration.