Dosewallips River Lazy C Phase I 2

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2019 Jefferson County C onservation Futures Program Property Acquisition and/or Operations and Maintenance Project Application

Please complete the following application in its entirety. Be sure to answer “N/A” for questions that don’t apply to the project. Incomplete applications will not be accepted for consideration. Unless directed otherwise, use as much space as needed to answer each question. Contact program staff at 379-4498 or [email protected] with questions.

Background and Eligibility Information

1. Project Title: Dosewallips River Lazy C Phase I 2. Conservation Futures Acquisition Request: $7,649 Conservation Futures O&M Request: $0 3. Total Conservation Futures Request: $7,649 4. Please indicate the type of interest contemplated in the acquisition process. X Warranty Deed X Easement __ Other (Please describe below.) In whose name will the property title be held after acquisition? Jefferson County 5. Applicant Information Name of Applicant or Organization: Jefferson County Contact: Tami Pokorny Title: Natural Resources Program Coordinator Address: JCEPH 615 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone: (360) 379-4498 Fax: (360) 379 - 4487 Email: [email protected] 6. Sponsor Information: (if different than applicant) ______Organization Name:______Contact: ______Title: ______Address: ______Phone: (_____) _____-______, ext. ______Fax: (_____) _____-______, ext. ____ Email: ______This application was approved by the sponsor’s legally responsible body (e.g., board, council, etc.) on ______N/A______, 20___. 7. Site Location Street Address or Description of Location: Lower Lazy C I development along Appaloosa Rd. in Brinnon, WA

1 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program

Driving Directions from Port Townsend: Drive south on Hwy 19. Right on Center Rd. Left on Hwy 101. Continue until just before the Brinnon Community Center. Turn right on Dosewallips Road, continue just over 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Appaloosa Drive. Park along the road when the Dosewallips River becomes visible to the right. Section: 34 Township: 26 Range: 2W Assessor’s Parcel Number(s): 966900044 (Doyle) and 966900047 (Pino) Please differentiate current and proposed ownership of each APN and indicate if the parcel is to be acquired with CF funds or used as match.

966900044 Current ownership is private; proposed is fee-simple acquisition held by Jefferson County using CF funds. 966900047 Current ownership is private; proposed is conservation easement or fee-simple acquisition held by Jefferson County using CF funds.

Please list the assessed values for each property or APN, as applicable. 966900044: $5,000, 0.34 acres 966900047: $6,300, 0.52 acres 8. Existing Conditions New Site: Yes No, the acquisitions are part of a larger effort to restore the Powerlines Reach to benefit Hood Canal Summer Chum salmon Number of Parcels: 2 Addition to Existing Site: Yes No Acres to Be Acquired: 0.86 Total Project Acreage (if different): Approx. 80 (County only) Current Zoning: RR-5 Existing Structures/Facilities: Vacant land and shed(s); Waterline Any current covenants, easements or restrictions on land use: Lazy C HOA; utility easement on 966900047 Current Use: Recreational Waterfront (name of body of water):Dosewallips River Shoreline (linear feet): 75’ on mainstem (-044); 86’ on seasonal tributary (-047) Owner Tidelands/Shorelands: State of Washington (navigable waterbody) 9. Current Property Owner(s) X are __is not a willing seller.

Project Description

10. In 1,000 words or less, provide a summary description of the project, the match, overarching goal, and three top objectives. Include information about the physical characteristics of the site that is proposed for acquisition with Conservation Futures Program funds including: vegetation, topography, surrounding land use, and 2 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program relationship to parks, trails, and open space. Describe the use planned for the site, any development plans after acquisition (including passive development), characteristics of the site which demonstrate that it is well-suited to the proposed use, and plans for any structures currently on the site. If applicable, describe how the site relates to the larger project, and whether the project has a plan, schedule and funding dedicated to its completion. Please also list any important milestones for the project or critical dates, e.g. grant deadlines. List the dates and explain their importance.

The goal of the Dosewallips River Lazy C Phase I project is to support the recovery of ESA threatened Hood Canal Summer Chum salmon and natural floodplain functions in the lower three miles of the Dosewallips River by initially acquiring two properties in the lower Lazy C I community, 1.5 miles upstream from Brinnon and Hood Canal. The parcels are located near the upper extent of the Powerlines Reach, a mostly unconstrained 1.3- mile section of the river and a very important spawning area for summer chum. This project will add to the large complex of protected open space lands in the lower river acquired by Jefferson County and Washington State Parks to benefit salmon and provide for compatible recreational uses.

Summer chum rely upon complex habitat for their genetic diversity and resilience to climate change. Acquisition of the lots will hopefully lead to additional acquisitions which, together, will provide the open space necessary to the design of installations to stabilize spawning gravels and to retain the habitat features associated with stable, large wood. Engineered designs will “facilitate normative channel patterns and stable side channels, backwaters, or stable vegetated islands” (Lestelle 2015) and be refined and implemented in consultation with an advisory group convened by the County to include representation from the Lazy C and Brinnon communities. Secondarily, the acquisitions and subsequent project phases may reduce the likelihood that shoreline armoring, similar to the rock work just upstream, will be necessary in order to protect Appaloosa Drive.

The primary project objectives are: Acquire the two parcels (0.86 acres) fee simple or, if necessary, protect them with a conservation easement to allow for restoration of salmon habitat and to prevent impacts to water quality. Replant and under plant as needed to restore and enhance a diverse native conifer forest on each parcel. Continue outreach to the Lazy C community leading to additional nearby acquisitions and the opportunity to develop one or more designs for restoration actions.

Jefferson County began acquiring and protecting high functioning riparian habitat in the lower Dosewallips River beginning in 2005 and eventually also purchased and restored three parcels in the Lazy C. These, and the two subject parcels, were platted in 1966 on property that was originally developed as the Lazy C Ranch dude ranch. Parcel -044 was originally cleared as a home site which later succumbed to the river along with the road which formerly connected the Lazy C I and II developments. It’s used seasonally as an RV campsite. Parcel -047 is forested with mature trees and doesn’t appear to have been developed in the past with the exception of a buried community water supply line from the PUD #1 tanks along Dosewallips Rd. Both properties will be managed for native vegetation consistent with soil conditions. Structures on the parcels are limited to a shed and the water line.

The Dosewallips River flows west to east in a meandering pattern, linking cool melt water from the Anderson Glacier and other high elevation areas with Hood Canal at its eastern most extent. The river’s channel migration zone is relatively flat, however the slopes steepen greatly as the distance from the river increases, north to Green Hill and south to the Mount Jupiter ridgeline. The surrounding land use is mixed with residential development to the northwest. To the east and south of the subject parcels are relatively inaccessible county-owned open space 3 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program lands including excellent off channel habitat for salmonids and other fish and wildlife. Neighboring areas are enjoyed by recreationists travelling upstream of Dosewallips State Park. Washington State Parks envisions a trail corridor to eventually link Hood Canal with Olympic National Forest.

Funding for acquisitions, as part of the larger restoration effort, have been approved by the RCO SFRB and is awaiting a final award determination by the state legislature. The Powerlines Reach is located between the upstream extent of the Brinnon Flats where a volcanic outcrop naturally constricts the channel, and the Lazy C “I” residential development where there is another bedrock exposure. The reach appears to be a zone of deposition, and sediment accumulations and stranded wood are common.

Although the Powerlines Reach is largely protected open space, unconstrained and relatively intact compared to more developed reaches (Labbe, 2006), the quality of habitat there still suffers from a long history of road- building, logging, road failures including FSR 2610, and the operation for nearly a decade of a major splash dam at RM 3.9. These activities and events have contributed to the loss of mature forests and large conifer in-channel wood, scouring and simplification of the river channels, destabilization and redistribution of sediment including locations with very high aggradation (Aspect River Impairment Study 2009), and a lack of pools, vegetated islands, and habitat structure and complexity generally.

Development of the floodplain for the Lazy C subdivisions I and II led to further deforestation, paved roads and impermeable surfaces, bank armoring, more road failures, channelization of tributaries and threats to water quality from household solid and hazardous wastes, and continued erosion or inundation of homes, on-site systems and other constructed improvements. Impacts to summer chum salmon include reduction in the extent, quality, complexity and stability of suitable holding, spawning and egg incubation habitat; physiological and predation stress due to lack of thermal refugia and cover; and simplified life histories leading to lost opportunities to adapt to climate change and other emerging and intensifying environmental changes.

The identified solution provided in the Lestelle 2015 guidance to climate change impacts is to "Maintain and promote aggressive approaches to salmon habitat restoration and protection priorities that account for climate change.” This project is an important step toward that goal.

11. Estimate costs below, including the estimated or appraised value of the propert(ies) or property right(s) to be acquired, even if Conservation Futures funds will only cover a portion of the total project cost. In the case of projects involving multiple acquisitions, please break out appraisals and estimated acquisition costs by parcel. Estimated or Appraised Value of Propert(ies) to be Acquired: Total Estimated Acquisition-related Cost (see Conservation Futures Manual for eligible costs): $50,992 Total Operation and Maintenance Cost: $0 Total Project Cost: $50,992 Basis for Estimates (include information about how the property value(s) was determined, anticipated acquisition- related costs, general description of operation and maintenance work to be performed, task list with itemized budget, and anticipated schedule for completion of work):

The property values are estimates informed by the assessed values and other nearby acquisitions on the floodplain and adjacent slope over the past few years.

4 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program

Dosewallips River Lazy C Phase I Total Match Conservation (RCO 18-1228) Futures

Property Acquisition 26,000 22,100 3,900

Acquisition-related costs 22,672 19,271 3,401

Administration 2,320 1,972 348

Total 50,992 43,343 7649

Scored Questions

1 a. Sponsor or other organizations X will __will not contribute to acquisition of proposed site and/or operation and maintenance activities. 1 b. If applicable, please describe below how contributions from groups or agencies will reduce the need to use Conservation Futures program funds.

1 c. Matching Fund Estimate Acquisition O&M % Conservation Futures Funds Requested ____7,649______0__ ___ 15% Matching Funds/Resources* ___43,343______0 _ __ 85% Total Project Acquisition Cost __ 50,992 ______0_____ 100%

* If a prior acquisition is being proposed as match, please describe and provide documentation of value, location, date of acquisition and other information that would directly link the match to the property being considered for acquisition. 1 d. Source of matching Amount of Contribution If not, Contribution If not, funds/resources contribution approved? when? available T? when? RCO SRFB #18-1228 $ 43,343* __ Yes No ______Yes No Fall 2019 ______$______Yes No ______Yes No ______$______Yes No ______Yes No ______$______Yes No ______Yes No ______

NOTE: Matching funds are strongly recommended and a higher rating will be assigned to those projects that guarantee additional resources for acquisition. Donation of property or a property right will be considered as a matching resource. Donation of resources for on-going maintenance or stewardship (“in-kind” contributions) are not eligible as a match.

* Contribution was approved by the Lead Entity and SRFB in 2018 but is awaiting finalization of the capital budget in July. 5 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program

2 a. Sponsoring agency X* is __is not prepared to provide long-term stewardship (easement monitoring, maintenance, up-keep, etc.) for the proposed project site. *Jefferson County currently owns and, with its partners, stewards approximately 80 acres adjacent to -047 on both sides of the river as well as three shoreline parcels along Appaloosa Dr., the latter in partnership with the Lazy C community. 2 b. Describe any existing programs or future plans for stewardship of the property, including the nature and extent of the commitment of resources to carry out the stewardship plan. Future stewardship of the subject parcels will be conducted in partnership with the Lazy C community, which already assists the County in caring for the upstream parcels along Appaloosa Drive. Tribes, agencies and organizations have expressed their support of the approved and overarching PSP Near Term Action of restoring the lower Dosewallips River (see attached letters). If the remaining lower Lazy C properties are acquired successfully, this Dosewallips “working group” will formalize to collaborate with the County and local communities in developing a restoration design. 3 a. Describe the sponsoring agency’s previous or on-going stewardship experience. Jefferson County has stewarded properties along the Big Quilcene, Dosewallips, and Duckabush Rivers with grant funds and assistance from project partners and volunteers since at least the late 1990s.

3 b. Has the sponsor and/or applicant of this project been involved in other projects previously approved for Conservation Futures funding? _____No, neither the sponsor nor applicant has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures funds. X Yes, the sponsor and/or applicant for this project has been involved in a project previously approved for Conservation Futures funds. Please provide details:

Big Quilcene River – Moon Valley Reach (2016), Irondale Beach County Park Additions (2016), Duckabush Floodplain (2013)

4 a. Property X can __cannot feasibly be acquired in a timely fashion with available resources. 4 b. Necessary commitments and agreements __are X are not in place. 4 c. All parties __are X are not in agreement on the cost of acquisition. If “not” to any of the above, please explain below. Both property owners are interested in proceeding with appraisals. The owner of -047 would prefer a conservation easement but may consider a fee simple sale.

5. The proposed acquisition X is __ is not specifically identified in an adopted open space, conservation, or resource preservation program or plan, or community conservation effort. Please describe below, including the site’s importance to the plan. Please reference the website of the plan if available or include the plan with this application. X complements an adopted open space or conservation plan, but is not specifically identified. Please describe below, and describe how the proposed acquisition is consistent with the plan. __is a stand-alone project.

This project is identified in the HCCC prioritization guidance document (Lestelle 3/15) for Freshwater Habitat: Large stream channel conditions for large wood and sediment deposits and for Freshwater Habitat: Climate 6 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program change, "Actions aimed at ameliorating the effects of climate change should protect existing core habitats that support populations of concern and aim to restore normative in-channel, floodplain, sediment supply and transport, and flow regime characteristics as quickly as possible." Summer chum is one species anticipated to be affected the most by climate change. The identified solution is to "Maintain and promote aggressive approaches to salmon habitat restoration and protection priorities that account for climate change." (http://hccc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/HCCC%20Guidance%20for%20Prioritization%20v03 -16-15%20_0.pdf)

Hood Canal Summer Chum ESA Restoration Plan p. 355 11/05: Objective: protect and improve summer chum habitat for the Dosewallips stock by purchasing property or conservation easements in the lower 3.0 miles of the watershed. This is necessary because development pressures are highly concentrated in the lower 3.0 miles of river, where most of the summer chum use occurs. Acquisition of property or easements from willing landowners will ensure future protection and recovery of summer chum habitat. The potential also exists for planting conifers in the riparian zone and placing engineered logjams to improve channel complexity and stabilize spawning gravels. (https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=00155)

Dosewallips Duckabush Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan p. 66 (N-2) 06/09 Recommendation N-2 “Property acquisition” states: As described in the Existing Conditions Analysis, Jefferson County has been working with property owners along the Dosewallips River to acquire properties that are at high risk of flooding. The County plans to continue this program in the future, acquiring property from willing owners at greatest flood risk, and utilizing this property to increase flood storage capacity and minimize damage to other property along the Duckabush and Dosewallips Rivers. This alternative was given a “high” rating for meeting multiple CFHMP goals. The relative costs and benefits were rated as “high,” meaning that benefits would likely outweigh the costs. This alternative is currently being implemented where appropriate and could be implemented relatively quickly and easily, depending on available properties and funding. (no longer available online – see attachments)

Restoration of freshwater salmon habitat consistent with the SRFB/Lead Entity process is also a recommendation of the WRIA 16 watershed management plan and the WRIA 16 Detailed Implementation Plan. (http://www.co.mason.wa.us/health/environmental/WRIA/management-plan.php)

6. Conservation Opportunity or Threat: 6 a. The proposed acquisition site X does __does not provide a conservation or preservation opportunity which would otherwise be lost or threatened. 6 b. If applicable, please carefully describe the nature and immediacy of the opportunity or threat, and any unique qualities about the site. The Lower Lazy C parcels, including the two subject properties, are needed immediately to help prevent hardening of the Dosewallips River shoreline on an emergency (non-fish-friendly) basis. Immediately upstream, Appaloosa Drive was threatened by flooding and erosion in 2003, which led to riprapping the shoreline with large rock. Subsequent high water events caused the loss of large trees and constructed improvements to the river. Acquisition of the subject properties would also contribute to the larger effort of restoring habitat for summer chum salmon.

This project is an opportunity to expand, improve, diversify and stabilize habitat for summer chum salmon in an unconfined and protected core reach of the Dosewallips River. Delays will deny needed benefits for salmon at a time when funding for restoration is diminishing. A successful effort in the Powerlines Reach will also encourage support for restoration actions in other more developed reaches under private ownership. Risks to water quality in the Powerlines Reach from the Lazy C community upstream are also significant due to worsening floods. This project will help foster better floodplain stewardship through outreach and relationship building. 7 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program

7. Summarize the project’s conservation values and how the CF funds requested support these values.

The conservation value of these two lots complements efforts by the County, and previously Jefferson Land Trust, to protect and restore the Powerlines Reach of the Dosewallips River, where natural channel functions are relatively intact yet also compromised by past activities. The reach supports a broad diversity of western Washington plant and animal species.

8. The proposed acquisition: 8 a. X provides habitat for State of Washington Priority Habitat and/or State or Federal Threatened, Endangered or Sensitive species. 8 b. X provides habitat for a variety of native flora or fauna species. 8 c. X contributes to an existing or future wildlife corridor or migration route. If affirmative in any of the above, please describe and list the Priority Habitat(s) and Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive species below, and cite or provide documentation of species’ use.1

The following species are ESA Threatened or Endangered in the project area: Fish species: http://apps.wdfw.wa.gov/salmonscape/map.html; https://www.rco.wa.gov/salmon_recovery/listed_species.shtml Puget Sound Chinook (Fall, Threatened) egg, juvenile and adult – project area Puget Sound Steelhead (Threatened) egg, juvenile and adult – project area Hood Canal Summer Chum (Threatened) egg and adult – project area Bull Trout (Threatened) egg, juvenile and adult – downstream of project area ..Marbled Murrelet – Slopes above Lazy C (JC map server):

Spotted Owl: Slopes above Lazy C (JC map server)

1 See, for example, http://www.dnr.wa.gov/researchscience/topics/naturalheritage/pages/amp_nh.aspx http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/phs/list/ http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/plants.html http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/pubs/wa_ecological_systems.pdf 8 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program

This project will focus on Hood Canal summer chum salmon but will also benefit all other salmon and trout species in the watershed. Dosewallips summer chum is the third highest listed priority stock in the HCCC prioritization guidance (Lestelle 2015). The project is an important step towards addressing limiting freshwater life stages of summer chum by rehabilitating conditions in the Powerlines Reach and to foster full expression of diverse life histories there (Summer Chum Salmon Initiative, 2000). They spawn to RM 3.0.

Later phases of the project will incorporate recommendations in the WRIA 16 Limiting Factors Analysis for RM 0.0-3.4 of the Dosewallips with respect to large woody debris, percent pool, pool frequency, pool quality, and riparian condition. It also expects to address issues of “Freshwater Habitat: Large stream channel conditions” and “Freshwater Habitat: Climate change” from the HCCC Guidance for Action Prioritization (Lestelle 2015). Perhaps the most important limiting factor in the reach is sediment and habitat instability which leads to burial or excavation of redds during scouring floods.

Loss of habitat complexity [and stability] leads to a general loss of habitat for all [freshwater] life stages; increased mortality rates; loss in food diversity and quantity for juvenile salmonids; and a general decline in population performance (Lestelle, 2015). There is “a continuing need to strengthen performance in the core subpopulations for the sake of bolstering overall population abundance. These core subpopulations are the Quilcene and Dosewallips in the Hood Canal population” (HCCC Guidance for updating recovery goals).

8 d. Does the current owner participate in conservation programs that enhance wildlife habitat? If so, please provide details.

Neither owner participates in formal conservation programs to enhance wildlife. However, the owner of -047 maintains mature forest on the subject parcel, including a number of large western red cedars.

9. Describe to what degree the project protects habitat for anadromous fish species (for example: marine shorelines, stream/river corridors including meander zones, and riparian buffers). Please provide documentation and maps that demonstrate the location, quality and extent of the existing buffer and adjoining habitat.

The project’s purpose is the protection of anadromous fish as part of a larger effort to protect and restore the Powerlines Reach of the Dosewallips River.

9 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program

10 a. Describe the extent and nature of current and planned agricultural use of the proposed acquisition, including any anticipated changes to that use once the property, or property right, is acquired with Conservation Futures funds.

N/A No agricultural use is appropriate or planned for the proposed acquisitions.

10 b. Describe the current owner’s record of implementing management practices that preserves and/or enhances soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat on the farm.

N/A

10 c. Describe how the acquisition or proposed easement will likely preserve and/or enhance soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat.

The proposed acquisitions would be the first two of six, ideally. Taken alone, they would benefit watershed function by reestablishing and/or retaining native vegetation. 11 a. Describe the extent and nature of current and planned silvicultural use of the proposed acquisition. Please cite or provide documentation of existing or planned silvicultural activities including forest management plan(s) or forest ecosystem restoration. The forest on -047 will be maintained in a natural state. Native tree species, particularly conifers and black cottonwood trees, will be reestablished on -044.

11 b. Describe the current owner’s record of implementing management practices that preserves and /or enhances soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat.

The current owner of -047 has maintained the existing forest cover. 11 c. Describe how the property acquisition or proposed easement will likely preserve and/or enhance soil, water quality, watershed function and wildlife habitat. Acquisition of the subject parcels, in combination with the remaining four lower Lazy C properties, could allow for an engineered habitat restoration project with benefits for both fish and the community. For example, a habitat installation on the far side of the river (on these lots potentially) could potentially help pull the river’s thalweg away from the road and also increase stability to fish habitat in this dynamic reach. 12 a. Describe how the proposed acquisition benefits primarily a __local area X broad county area including the area served, the nature of the benefit, the jurisdictions involved, and the populations served. It would be difficult to overstate the importance of salmon recovery to the broad county area. The Dosewallips River hosts a core subpopulation of ESA Threatened Hood Canal summer chum, a species that has seen significant recovery during relatively cool ocean conditions. The stock is the only one in Puget Sound that is currently considered on track for delisting/recovery, but it’s long-term survival depends on fresh water habitat in the Big Quilcene, Dosewallips and Duckabush Rivers in particular. Abundant, complex, diverse habitat is needed in the lower rivers to carry the species through warm ocean phases. 12 b. Is the project located in an area that is under-represented by CF funded Projects? Areas that Conservation Futures has not been able to support to date include Marrowstone Island, Toandos Peninsula, Dosewallips Valley, Bolton Peninsula, and the West End. Yes – Dosewallips Valley

10 2019 CF Program Application FINAL http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/560/Conservation-Futures-Program

Lazy C III

Lazy C I

Lazy C II

Project location

Pino

Doyle

Subject parcel locations

Pino

Doyle Doyle property looking southwest

Doyle property looking southeast Pino

2017

2016

Lower Powerlines Reach Erosion immediately downstream of Lazy C

Lazy C Floodplain Past County Acquisitions

Beaver sign near –047 (Pino)

March 29, 2018

Dear Funder,

Re: Support for Dosewallips Floodplain Restoration and Partner Commitment (Near Term Actions #’s 18-0164 and -0688; RCO/SRFB Grant #18-1228)

One of the most important ways in which the Wild Fish Conservancy improves conditions for the Northwest’s wild fish is by developing model restoration projects. We’ve made substantial progress to restore salmon habitat in the Dosewallips River since 2002 working in partnership with Washington State Parks Commission and Dosewallips State Park. We’ve installed engineered large wood jams, removed dikes, levees and revetments, replanted native species and conducted outreach in support of Mid-Hood Canal Puget Sound Chinook and Hood Canal Summer Chum salmon and other fish species.

The history of human-caused habitat alterations in the Dosewallips watershed began in 1859, and it continues today with road-related impacts, the legacy of wood removal in the river, and the loss of floodplain habitat to residential and other development. We look forward to working collaboratively with Jefferson County and other members of a Trustee/Stakeholder Group to identify and plan for the habitat protections and improvements in the Dosewallips watershed that will have the greatest benefits for Chinook salmon and other salmonid species including ESA listed Puget Sound steelhead and Hood Canal summer run chum.

Changing conditions in the ocean and Olympic Peninsula rivers present challenges to fish. We can help mitigate some of these by building from the foundation of cold water that already exists in the Dosewallips, which draws from some of the highest elevation terrain in the Olympics including the Eel glacier, steep-gradient tributaries and wall-based springs.

Thank you for supporting Near Term Actions (NTA#s 18-0164 and 18-0688) to develop and implement a floodplain management and salmon habitat restoration plan as well as SRFB project RCO#18-1228, to create a preliminary restoration design specific to the Powerlines Reach of the river. The Powerlines Reach is already largely protected open space. This unconstrained portion of the channel migration zone represents an important opportunity to expand and diversify habitat for Chinook.

Sincerely, Micah Wait Conservation Director Wild Fish Conservancy

State of Washington DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Coastal Region • Region 6 • 48 Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA 98563-9618 Telephone: (360) 249-4628 • Fax: (360) 249-1229

March 29, 2018

Re: Support for Dosewallips Floodplain Restoration and Partner Commitment (Near Term Actions #s 18-0164 and -0688; RCO/SRFB Grant #18-1228)

Dear Funder,

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife wishes to confirm our status as partner and to express our support for Near Term Actions to develop and implement an Integrated Floodplain Management and Restoration Plan for the Dosewallips River, as proposed by Jefferson County Public Health (NTAs 18-0164 and -0688). We also support a specific element of this larger effort: Jefferson County’s application to the state’s Salmon Recovery Funding Board to develop a conceptual design for restoration of the river’s Powerlines Reach.

WDFW and co-managers manage the fish and wildlife resources of the Dosewallips River watershed on an on-going basis. This river supports some of Hood Canal’s strongest runs of steelhead, fall chum, coho and odd-year pink salmon. As habitat for a core subpopulation of ESA-listed Hood Canal summer chum salmon, the Dosewallips River is considered essential to the long-term survival of this species. Summer chum salmon are significant and important in their own right; in healthy numbers, they’re also an important prey species for juvenile Puget Sound chinook as well as many other fish and bird species that have experienced declining numbers. Hood Canal summer chum are among the stocks in Washington most vulnerable to climate change, underscoring the need to actively address persistent habitat deficiencies even in the most productive spawning areas. The Dosewallips will play a critical role in the recovery of Puget Sound chinook in the mid-Hood Canal region as well. Chinook numbers in the Dosewallips are down drastically and all efforts at restoration will benefit this critical species.

We encourage the development of a preliminary design for restoration of the Powerlines Reach, one of the highest value summer chum spawning areas, and will be happy to contribute expertise. This reach is relatively unconstrained and the floodplain is already largely protected to benefit salmon. However, as a result of past logging practices and other human impacts, the channel migration zone lacks the level of habitat diversity and stability necessary to support optimal conditions for fish.

We also look forward to working with Jefferson County and its partners to engage in a multi- reach-scale approach to floodplain management and restoration. We feel that now is an opportune time to inventory efforts in the watershed that support ecological functions; to identify new opportunities for fish habitat restoration; to integrate planning efforts in consideration of

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human needs such as flood risk and opportunities for recreation; and to work towards resiliency to climate change impacts.

We are taking steps to engage in these NTA and RCO SRFB proposals from Jefferson County and recommend that they receive your support.

Sincerely,

Chris Waldbillig Assistant Region 6 Habitat Program Manager

CC: Josh Benton, WDFW Habitat Biologist