The Samish River, an important salmonid bearing system in North Puget Sound, is extensively infested with invasive knotweed (Polygonum spp.). Many sections of the river are also 303(d) listed for fecal coliform, temperature, and DO, and face serious water quality issues; a TMDL implementation plan to reduce fecal coliform loadings was completed in 2009. This project supported and extended the basin-wide effort to systematically control knotweed, which began in 2010. Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group and the Samish Indian Tribe collaborated on efforts to control knotweed (Samish Indian Nation) and revegetate prioritized riparian treatment areas (SFEG) through a grant from the Department of Ecology. The project goal was to curtail the devastation that knotweed is inflicting on the river systems and help to address water quality issues through the planting of native riparian vegetation on knotweed infested sites throughout the Samish basin. Outputs and outcomes included: surveying/mapping the extent of the infestation throughout the watershed; extending treatment of knotweed initiated in 2011 through 2014, planting over 30 acres of stream adjacent treatment sites with native riparian plants, and community education/outreach. The project improved water quality and salmonid habitat throughout the basin by filtering runoff, improving shade, and providing for increased recruitment of large woody debris.

SFEG planted on 14 properties.