West Central LIO Salmon Subgroup (West Sound Watersheds Council)

West Central LIO Salmon Subgroup (West Sound Watersheds Council) Top Priority Projects DRAFT v. 8-5-13

GOAL: Identify priority projects to be considered as Near-Term Actions while maintaining 5 current NTAs.

The Salmon Subgroup used a model based on the West Sound Watersheds Council (WSWC) process to identify the LIO region’s priority projects related to salmon recovery. The WSWC Coordinator and Technical Advisory Group (TAG) chair developed this list with various TAG members.

SOURCE The TAG reviews projects listed in the 3-year workplan and assessments to be proposed to the LIO as priority projects for Near-Term Action consideration.  The 3-year workplan is a mechanism to vet local Chinook recovery strategies and actions with the regional Recovery Implementation Technical Team (RITT); and to integrate local strategies and actions with 1) regional recovery priorities and 2) regional and local co-management (hatchery and harvest) strategies and actions.  Assessments include the nearshore assessments from Kitsap County and Bainbridge Island, the Limiting Factors Analysis, the Lower Chico Restoration Plan, and any projects identified or developed by a sponsor. . The TAG may also consider the Nearshore chapter of Chinook federal recovery plan and the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP) Report for advice on nearshore actions.

CRITERIA The TAG then uses four basic criteria to vet probable projects from the 3-year workplan and assessments. These criteria are: 1. Protect and restore the habitat and ecological functions in priority watersheds. The largest are Chico, Curley, Blackjack, and Gorst. Intact habitat in smaller streams used by steelhead is also important. 2. Maintain the health of core salmonid populations (particularly chum, steelhead, & coho). 3. Protect intact nearshore habitat. 4. Restore nearshore habitat functions. *All four criteria address local issues and #s 3 and 4 have increased importance due to addressing the Chinook Salmon Recovery Plan.

DECISION-MAKING If the TAG members agree that a project would result in significant progress towards Puget Sound recovery goals and fits at least one of the four criteria, the project is forwarded to the LIO for consideration as a Near-Term Action.

Note: Projects and programs listed on the 3-year workplan are reviewed for consistency with the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan by the NOAA-sanctioned Recovery Implementation Technical Team (RITT). Projects forwarded to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board must be included on the 3-year workplan. 9 Priority Projects to be considered for 2014 Near-Term Actions

Project Criterion/Criteria Source(s) Point No Point Marsh Restoration Design/Construction Protection/restoration of Regional/local Owners: WDFW, Kitsap SSWM, LIO nearshore habitat priorities;  Anticipates feasibility completion in 2014 3-year workplan  Addresses SSWM and WSWC priorities  Would restore tidal flow, fish access, and ecological function of large estuarine marsh (a priority habitat in West Sound’s strategy)  Regionally important location in Admiralty Inlet West Kingston Road Culvert Replacement Construction  Restoration of Regional/local Owner: Kitsap Roads nearshore habitat priorities;  Anticipates complete design in 2014 3-year workplan  Will improve tidal flow and fish access to the Carpenter Creek  Completes Carpenter estuary Estuary Restoration  On Kitsap County TIP Crescent Creek Culvert Replacement Design  Restoration of Regional/local Owners: City of Gig Harbor, South Puget Sound Salmon nearshore habitat priorities; Enhancement Group (SPSSEG)  Completes Gig Harbor 3-year workplan  Would replace culvert with bridge at the mouth of Crescent Estuary Restoration Creek  Restores tidal flow and estuarine function at the location of the highest quality habitat remaining in Gig Harbor (will be second of two culverts replaced to replace at the head of the bay)  Regionally important location in the South Central Basin. Keyport Lagoon Feasibility Restoration of nearshore Regional/local Owner: LIO habitat priorities  Considerable design has been completed for this project  Uncertainty concerning contamination in sediments – needs to be addressed by feasibility study  Would restore flow and intertidal function to ~23 acre barrier estuary  Located on Naval Base Kitsap at Keyport Clam Bay Lagoon Feasibility Restoration of nearshore Regional/local Owner: LIO habitat priorities  Would restore flow and intertidal function to ~23 acre estuary  Similar to Keyport Lagoon Feasibility project  Located on Naval Base Kitsap at Manchester Kitsap Forest and Bay- Divide Property Acquisition  Protection of ecological local priority; Owner: LIO function at headwaters 3-year workplan  Part of plan to protect 7000 acres of forested habitat in North for three watersheds Kitsap  Excellent partnering  Permanent protection for headwater wetlands and streams opportunity to protect and enhance intact habitat Chico Creek SR3 Bridge  Maintain known Local priorities; Owner: LIO priority watershed 3-year workplan  Would replace SR3 culvert with a bridge at the mouth of Chico  Maintain known core Creek (most productive salmon stream in West Sound and high populations Project Criterion/Criteria Source(s) priority watershed for protection and restoration)  Will improve fish passage and restore estuarine functions  Component of lower Chico restoration Plan  Highest priority (for fish) WSDOT culvert in Olympia Region  Part of “culverts case” Chico/Keta Park Culvert Replacement & floodplain Restoration  Maintain known Local priorities; Construction priority watershed 3-year workplan Owners: Kitsap Roads and Suquamish Tribe  Maintain known core  Part of lower mainstem restoration plan of 2004 populations  Design anticipated in 2014  Will improve fish passage and habitat conditions in the mainstem of Chico  Is final phase of a restoration plan that links restoration of the golf course reach to actions upstream to Chico Way Culvert replacement is on Kitsap County TIP Curley Creek Conservation Easement/Acquisition Feasibility  Maintenance of known Local priorities; Owners: Suquamish Tribe and Great Peninsula Conservancy priority watershed 3-year workplan  Maintain known core populations