The Thunder Creek Livestock Exclusion project is located along SR-9 approximately 7 miles north of Sedro-Wooley adjacent to the 2010 Thunder Creek NRSP project. The objective of the Thunder Creek Livestock Exclusion project was to 1) Exclude livestock from entering the creek by rebuilding and installing fencing along the creek 2) Restore the riparian habitat along the creek with the removal of invasive species and the planting of new native ones.

Final designs and permit documents were developed for this project as part a Department of Ecology grant (WA120317-2-2). The Thunder Creek Livestock Exclusion design project was lead by Skagit County Public Works (SCPW) in partnership with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) with the goal of design and permitting restoration actions to improve riparian habitat.

This project included the installation of new fencing and rebuild of faulty livestock exclusion fencing. . The old fence was 575 feet long and was rebuilt 100 feet from Thunder Creek. A 100-foot long section of new fence was then installed along the west side of the critical areas easement enclosing 0.95 acres of riparian habitat from the horses on the property.

This project also included the removal of invasive vegetation from the riparian zone which was replanted with native trees and shrubs along Thunder Creek. Invasive removal was completed by Skagit County Public Works by mowing the existing blackberries. Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group installed the fencing and planted 350 native plants along 520 linear feet of Thunder Creek.