Murray Creek is a tributary of the Nookachamps, which flows into the Skagit River in the Skagit watershed. An undersized perched culvert was replaced on Murray Creek with a larger culvert to allow for fish passage. Culvert replacement improved fish passage to 2346 m2 of primarily rearing habitat. This project was identified by SHEAR in '99. Reed canary grass was removed from the riparian area for this 230m by scalping & pulling back the banks to expose bare soils. Native riparian vegetation has been planted. These trees & shrubs will provide shade, cover & nutrients to the stream & help reduce temperatures in the Nookachamps Watershed. The riparian area has been planted for 230m along both sides of the stream. SFEG worked with the landowner to plant a width of 20m wide on both sides. A total of 620m of stream length was opened above the culvert including a significant wetlands complex for juvenile rearing of coho, steelhead & cutthroat. The Stewardship Incentive Program partnered with the landowners and provided a cash match to remove the culvert and re-establish the riparian area.