This project will permanently protect steelhead habitat on the West Fork of the Nookachamps River. It encompasses 50.3 acres, including 46 acres identified in the National Wetland Inventory categorized primarily as Freshwater Forested/Shrub wetlands, and a small wooded upland area. It encompasses 3,900 feet of Lake Creek, which moves freely across the property, and 1,000 feet of shoreline on Big Lake. There are also two smaller, seasonal creeks on the property. Through fee simple purchase this project would extinguish development rights and prevent commercial timber harvest and other potentially damaging private recreational uses of the site, ensuring permanent protection of the property and its ecosystem functions. Importance of this site: The West Fork of the Nookachamps and Lake Creek are identified as a "Tier Two - Steelhead Target Area" in Skagit Watershed Council's 2015 Interim Steelhead Strategy. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Salmonscape data identifies Lake Creek, within the project area, as having documented presence of summer steelhead and documented rearing for winter steelhead. This data also identifies a steelhead spawning area just upstream of the project area. This site is one of the largest intact functioning wetlands in this section of the west fork of the Nookachamps, and potentially significant juvenile rearing habitat.