The Spartina Task Force of Northern Puget Sound lists Skagit Bay as a high priority site for Spartina removal. The Task Force's goals are to remove Spartina from tidelands to enhance public access, salmon and wildlife habitat; monitor results of removal and modify future control methods based on results; re-treat sites as necessary; prevent seed production at several specifically identified sites including SE Skagit Bay; and prioritize sites for control. This proposal would fund the removal, eradication, and/or control of Spartina from the estuarine and nearshore habitat of Skagit Bay, including the South shore of Fir Island & the North shore of Camano Island. Through eradication, control, reduction and containment of Spartina in Skagit Bay by the Skagit County Spartina Control Crew, native plant species will be allowed to return to those areas currently infested or affected by this invasive noxious weed. Salmon rearing and feeding grounds will be enhanced as sloughs are allowed to return to their natural conditions. Shoreline monitoring will be done by a hired Spartina control crew along with volunteers trained by Adopt-A-Beach. Monitoring is necessary to catch seedlings before they produce seeds. Eradication and control methods for Spartina will be consistent with Integrated Weed Management as defined in the Noxious Emergent Plant Management EIS, 1993. The majority of methods include cutting, digging and herbicide application.