WDFW seeks to protect a key parcel containing critical habitats, that are connected to high quality, high priority habitat on the Methow River. The project will use a Conservation Easement and potentially some fee title ownership on approximately 120 acres. This project is within the 'Silver Reach', three miles downstream of Twisp, and would protect a key off channel habitat that was once the main channel. This proposal would enable a large scale off-channel restoration project. Approximately 3,500 feet of perennial, connected off channel habitat now occurs on project lands, with another 1,500 feet on adjacent WDFW lands. Most of the property is lowland floodplain, with cottonwoods, water birch and other riparian species. The land was grazed until recently ( 3 years ago), and needs rest and restoration. It is a Tier 2 watershed, with a high priority protection action proposed in a major spawning area for steelhead, and minor spawning area for spring chinook. The side channel is fed by groundwater, with two high water flood channels linking it to the river. The degraded habitats (wide, muddy and shallow with limited cover) currently supports limited anadromous fish rearing, but with restoration would create conditions to support significant rearing and likely spawning. Species benefitting from this project include steelhead and spring Chinook, coho and Summer Chinook. Bull trout could use the area for feeding.