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Home , Lopez Island, Puget Sound, San Juan Island, San Juan Islands

Living with the A stewardship guide for property Shoreline owners in the Do you have eelgrass, , Living with or on your shoreline? Stewardship Guide Contents the shoreline Forage fish feed the marine food web...... 5 Erosion is natural and can be influenced by your choices...... 20 Shorelines are a nursery for ...... 7 Your waterfront property You can help fish and wildlife...... 22 is part of a beautiful, complex, Eelgrass is a haven for fish, , and increasingly fragile marine and wildlife...... 9 Are there restoration opportunities on your property?...... 24 ecosystem that supports salmon, Kelp beds are the rainforests rockfish, , whales, and human of the seas ...... 11 Preserve healthy shorelines for now and the future...... 27 communities . Trees and shrubs are silent heroes...... 13 Healthy shorelines can adjust to Feeder bluffs are beach builders...... 15 Outside your window, where rising seas...... 29 Wetlands provide essential services for your family finds inspiration and Are you worried about storms people, fish, and wildlife ...... 17 recreational opportunities, fish and and erosion? ...... 30 wildlife find food and shelter . Clean and clear waters benefit all...... 19 Landowner resources...... 32 Explore this guide to learn about cost effective and natural approaches to protecting your property Lopez for people and nature . Island I always wondered what can I, as one small person, do to help all of the animals that Eelgrass live in the water. It turns out that the orca feed on salmon, and salmon feed on the Bull kelp tiny little fish that spawn on my beach. For this reason we will do all we can to keep our shoreline natural. Forage fish spawning habitat ––Mariluz Villa and Tom Reynolds, Brown Island Shoreline development practices like removing Natural shoreline development practices such as vegetation, and adding impervious surfaces and maintaining adequate setbacks, limiting impervious hard armoring often lead to maintenance issues for surfaces, and preserving healthy vegetation protect landowners and limit habitat for fish and wildlife. property from coastal flooding and erosion, improve water quality, and allow fish and wildlife to thrive.

FORAGE HEALTHY ORCA need SALMON need FISH need SHORELINES Forage fish feed the marine food web your choices impact this vital link in the food chain

Forage fish are small schooling fish that algae . Surf smelt and sand lance are eaten by larger fish, seabirds, and incubate their eggs in sand and small marine mammals . They play an essential gravel on the upper third of beaches . role in marine food webs by transferring energy from plankton to larger species . Forage fish utilize the same shoreline Beach spawning forage Forage fish are staples in the diets of areas that humans do, which makes fish come in on a high Chinook and , lingcod, them vulnerable to modifications such and lay their eggs on sand Marbled Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklets, as bulkheads, docks, roads, and the and gravel; the survival and Minke whales . removal of vegetation . You can help of these fish is especially forage fish by keeping beaches natural vulnerable to changes on Forage fish do not spawn just anywhere . with overhanging trees, shrubs, and large the land. deposit transparent, driftwood which maintain cool and adhesive eggs on eelgrass and marine moist conditions .

A NOAA study in northern found that surf smelt egg survival was reduced by 50% in places where the beach habitat was both warmer and drier as a result FACT! of the presence of hard armored bulkheads and the absence of trees and shrubs.

photo by Andrew Reding 5 Shorelines are a nursery for salmon your vegetation and nearshore habitats provide food and shelter for salmon

The San Juans are important rearing predators . To reduce demand for new habitat for out-migrating juvenile docks, consider using a marina, mooring salmon . The time young salmon spend buoy, or sharing an existing dock with in the marine nearshore is critical to neighbors . If you already have a dock, look their ability to survive as adults . People into improvements that can increase light Shorelines with native and marine mammals such as southern penetration such as grating . vegetation, eelgrass, and resident orcas depend on adult salmon for kelp help young salmon food when the salmon pass back through You can also help salmon by retaining feed, grow, and avoid the San Juans on their way to spawn in overhanging vegetation, detritus and predators as they migrate their natal rivers . driftwood; these natural shoreline to the open ocean. features support insects and forage fish Juvenile salmon often avoid swimming that young salmon eat . under docks, and instead move out into deeper waters where they are at risk from

Researchers have found juvenile salmon from twenty of the twenty two populations of threatened Puget Sound (along with many other species and populations FACT! of young salmon) throughout the shallow waters of the San Juans.

7 Eelgrass is a haven for fish, crabs, and wildlife you can help eelgrass thrive by protecting water quality Eelgrass is a flowering plant that grows You can help improve eelgrass health by in shallow, light-filled marine waters . limiting use of lawn and garden chemicals Eelgrass abundance varies seasonally and controlling upland runoff to avoid with some winter die-off and spring/ excessive sedimentation that clouds the summer growth . water . If you are a boater, anchor your Eelgrass provides boat in 30 foot or deeper water to avoid food and shelter for Eelgrass supports marine food webs . ripping up eelgrass . Since eelgrass needs many juvenile fish and The long blades of eelgrass are home to light to grow, use a marina or mooring shellfish of ecological, incubating eggs and animals, including buoy instead of building a new dock cultural, commercial, and crabs and juvenile fish . Eelgrass beds are which can shade out marine vegetation . If recreational importance. also important feeding areas for birds . you already have a dock, upgrade to best In addition, eelgrass mitigates wave design practices . energy and traps sediments, protecting shorelines from wave driven erosion .

Significant losses of eelgrass have occurred in many bays in the San Juans. Due to eelgrass’s sensitivity to environmental stressors, it is an indicator of FACT! changing water conditions.

photo by West Howland 9 Kelp beds are the rainforests of the seas avoid impacts to kelp to protect and feed wildlife Clusters of bull kelp can be seen offshore Kelp needs clean water and light to thrive . of almost any high energy rocky coastline It is very sensitive to pollution from small in the San Juans . Bull kelp grows in and large oil spills, soil erosion, and yard subtidal waters to depths of over 60 feet chemicals . You can help by making sure and is the most well known of the your septic system is in good working Kelp helps reduce wave due to its high visibility at the surface . order and reducing use of chemicals . If energy that causes beach There are also numerous species of you are a boater, keep your engine clean, erosion and provides understory kelps that grow along rocky steer clear of kelp beds when underway, protected feeding areas bottoms, providing additional habitat and avoid locating docks in kelp habitat . for marine mammals, complexity to the kelp forest . Kelp birds, and fish. shelters urchins, crabs, juvenile rockfish, anemones, , sea cucumbers, octopuses, and many other marine creatures .

Bull kelp is one of the fastest growing organisms on earth! Growth rates of 5.5 inches per day have been documented. The San Juans are home to one-third of all floating kelp in FACT! the inland waters of State.

photo by Chris Teren 11 Trees and shrubs are silent heroes use vegetation to protect slope stability, water quality, and wildlife habitat

Trees and shrubs do a lot of work . Roots that live in the trees and shrubs then provide 70% to 95% of a slope’s sheer become food for small fish . strength! An undisturbed forest can intercept up to 40% of rainfall, protecting Shoreline vegetation is feeding, nesting, against erosion while also slowing roosting, breeding, and migratory habitat Healthy shoreline surface runoff, increasing infiltration, for hundreds of wildlife species including vegetation provides food and protecting water quality . eagles, herons, and osprey . and shade for fish, bank stability, clean water, and Overhanging vegetation also provides On your shoreline property, retain as wildlife habitat. shade, a key factor in keeping beach many of the native trees and shrubs as conditions cool, moist, and organically possible . Careful limbing and pruning rich . These conditions support food webs techniques are ideal for creating and and forage fish egg survival . The insects maintaining views while protecting shorelines for you and wildlife .

The native trees and shrubs between our home and the ocean amplify our connections to nature. Through the seasons, our views of the water FACT! are both dramatically and intimately enhanced by the abundance of wildlife that use our nearshore vegetation. ––George and Peggy Hunt, San Juan Island 13 Feeder bluffs are beach builders maintain vegetation and control runoff to preserve a healthy bank or bluff

Erosion is a natural process . This is If your property has a feeder bluff, be especially true for feeder bluffs . Both the sure to set structures far away from the classic high bluffs and the much lower bluff . Large erosive events on bluffs are and slower receding banks provide the frequently caused by heavy, saturated majority of the sand and gravel that form soils, so it is important to direct all home Feeder bluffs provide and maintain local beaches . Experts drainage into well vegetated areas away the sand that forms and estimate that over 90% of the sand and from the bluff crest . Maintaining native maintains beaches and gravel that comprise the beaches of Puget vegetation will also help reduce the marine habitats. Sound and the San Juans comes from impact of heavy rains and provide habitat eroding banks and bluffs . for wildlife .

The San Juans are geologically diverse. Within its 400+ miles of shoreline, there are 30 miles of feeder bluffs, 34 miles of transport zones, 25 miles of barrier or accretionary FACT! beaches and spits, 48 miles of pocket beaches, 17 miles of embayment and lagoons, and 250 miles of rocky shores.

15 Wetlands provide essential services for people, fish, and wildlife protect water quality to help wetlands thrive Coastal wetlands are critical to the remaining intact wetlands than the survival of many species of fish and regional average . If you own property wildlife . They provide key services like with a wetland, be sure to leave adequate producing organic nutrients, filtering vegetation between any improvements out sediment, limiting flooding, and and the wetland, ensuring space to allow Coastal wetlands, cleaning water . Coastal wetlands are also it to fully function . Reduce or eliminate including estuaries, salt a major source of the insects which are an the use of lawn and garden fertilizers, marshes, and lagoons, important food source for juvenile fish . and maintain the wetland’s connection provide numerous between the marine environment to ecosystem functions that Wetland distribution across Puget Sound ensure the proper flushing and exchange benefit people and nature. is at just 18% of historic conditions, of species and nutrients . and the San Juans have even fewer

Every morning the wetland looks different with more birds and wildlife than one would normally see. Since the wetland’s connection to the marine environment was restored, we also see small fish that were not there before. The wetland is truly one of Mother Earth’s great artistic manifestations. ––Nancy and Tyler Gazecki, photo by Mark Gardner 17 Clean and clear waters benefit all use permeable surfaces and native vegetation to help keep waters clean

Stormwater that runs off the land Individual and onsite efforts to control (runoff) carries sediments, debris, and and the pollutants it carries pollutants like fecal coliform bacteria, are essential in San Juan County, as petroleum, and heavy metals directly to public infrastructure is extremely local waters . These contaminants don’t limited . You can help by maintaining or Adequate setbacks just break down and disappear—they can restoring native vegetation along the for structures, low impact persist and adversely affect the health of shore to slow and filter runoff, installing development techniques, shellfish, fish, and wildlife—as well as of pervious walks and driveways to allow and vegetated buffers people . While the San Juans do not have filtration, directing stormwater flow from protect water quality and large industrial sources of pollution, cars, gutters and roads into vegetated areas, marine habitats. creosote pilings, failing septic systems, maintaining onsite sewage systems, sedimentation, fertilizers, and household and using compost instead of chemicals all cause water quality issues . chemical fertilizers .

Stormwater pollution and excessive nutrients from failing septic systems and fertilizers are some of the factors behind ocean water’s unbalanced acidity levels. Reducing local FACT! sources of these inputs can decrease acidity in Washington’s marine waters and help reduce the effects of ocean acidification on local marine species such as shellfish.

19 Erosion is natural and can be influenced by your choices consult a coastal geologist if you have concerns Erosion is a natural condition of Engineered solutions such as before healthy shorelines that is essential bulkheads might be appropriate for to overall marine health . Clearing some sites, but are often unnecessary Brown Island vegetation and modifying site and can be very expensive . Three property owners drainage can dramatically increase Fortunately, there are other options . came together to remove an erosion rates . Rock bulkheads, or Plants can help stabilize eroding areas unnecessary bulkhead and hard armoring, can reduce erosion while maintaining important habitat . restore a small historic feeder caused by wave action but does not Nourishing the beach with gravel bluff. The project resulted in a address runoff-induced erosion from and/or large wood can reduce wave wider and sandier beach for use by people, fish, and wildlife. the top of the bank, a common source action and create a more accessible of problems . And bulkheads actually beach . Moving threatened structures cause erosion of the beach itself when away from risks may be less expensive waves reflect off the hard structure . than protecting them in place, especially over the long term .

In San Juan County, there are hundreds of unnecessary bulkheads on beaches, placed in areas with low natural erosion rates. Bulkheads not only have direct habitat impacts but also interrupt or alter the actual processes that are essential to maintaining our beaches over the long term. –– Engineering Geologist Jim Johannessen of Coastal Geologic Services 20 after You can help fish and wildlife protect your investment, restore habitat, and support marine ecosystem recovery

Over 18 miles (and 700 parcels!) armor removal before along San Juan County’s shores are Many shoreline structures are already armored with hard bulkheads . outdated or unnecessary and can North Beach, Orcas Island Hardened shorelines and derelict be removed or redesigned to better This pioneering project removed structures negatively impact fish, protect property and help feed forage large rock armoring and seabirds, and marine mammals . Our fish, salmon, and orca . constructed a gravel berm along island community is profoundly multiple residential properties. debris removal influenced by the health of these After 25 years, residents are still Removal of degraded structures such animals and our environment . enjoying a much more accessible as derelict docks, boathouses, and beach, reduced erosion rates, and creosote pilings can reduce known intact habitat. Numerous private, public, and tribal sources of toxic materials in our landowners have joined with groups waters and recover habitat for fish, like Friends of the San Juans to restore shellfish, and people . habitats for people, fish, and wildlife .

We are very pleased that the Friends of San Juans worked in collaboration with the Nation and the Department of Natural Resources to remove debris and creosote piles from Barlow Bay. These efforts on behalf of natural resources and future generations have improved the environment we cherish. ––Hank and Joyce Landau, 22 after photo by Jim Johannessen23 Are there restoration opportunities on your property? small actions can make a big difference coastal wetland reconnection beach nourishment before Removal of barriers to restore Beach nourishment projects add connectivity between the uplands appropriate sized material to eroded Turn Point, San Juan Island and the sea can improve water beaches . Nourishment can restore 12 dump truck loads of quality, fish passage, the transfer of the natural beach slope and substrate, unnecessary rock were removed nutrients and sediments, and reduce resulting in a more beautiful and from a coastal wetland to unbury the risk of flooding . Coastal wetland accessible beach that also benefits fish the beach and reconnect a small reconnection projects include a wide and wildlife by replacing lost habitat . tidal channel. This improved the range of alternatives, depending on usability of the beach for property owners and fish. the site: from removal of fill, tide gates, or culverts, to the installation of large open culverts or short span bridges .

To our surprise, excitement, and amazement, all of the effort involved with our restoration project came to fruition as we watched surf smelt spawn on our beach. We also observed two salmon foraging on the surf smelt, which is all part of this marine environment life cycle! We have such a feeling of fulfillment. ––Gary and Patty Bergren, Lopez Island 24 after Preserve healthy shorelines for now and the future you can leave a legacy for your family, fish, and wildlife Protecting intact habitat is the most As 90% of the waterfront tax parcels efficient and effective thing you can do in San Juan County are in private, to support the marine environment . A residential ownership, voluntary conservation easement is a voluntary tool stewardship is an essential component that can provide permanent protection of maintaining a healthy community Shoreline protection and be fully compatible with residential for people and nature . San Juan County programs honor a family’s activities . Easements are legal, recorded is fortunate to have two organizations legacy and preserve documents that protect key scenic and that work with interested property the property for natural features while the property owners to permanently protect priority future generations. remains in private ownership and use . habitats, species, and processes: the San In addition, preservation may entitle Juan Preservation Trust (360 .378 .2461) property owners to economic benefits . and the San Juan County Land Bank (360 .378 4402). .

What makes our land so special is the feeling we get as we see eagles and otters co- existing with our family’s low-impact way of interacting with the land—enjoying the FACT! fruits of our stewardship. Our family grew closer during the thoughtful discussions we had about our property’s future when we pursued our conservation easements. ––Terrigal Burn and Christine Johnson, photo by Chris Teren 27 Healthy shorelines can adjust to rising seas planning for change will protect people and the environment Coastal communities around the globe Beach habitat for recreation, shellfish, are increasingly talking about and and forage fish spawning will also be feeling the impacts of climate change lost in a process known as the and sea level rise . Forward-thinking coastal squeeze . individuals and governments are taking The “coastal squeeze” steps to prepare . Everyone can play a proactive role is when hard armoring addressing increased erosion and prevents the beach In our area, the most likely impacts flood hazards—whether as individuals from naturally adjusting associated with sea level rise are higher or as a community in terms of public landward in response to water levels/high and increased infrastructure and the siting of new rising seas, causing the frequency and magnitude of coastal development . How we adapt will impact beach to be under water flooding and erosion events . how our shorelines look and function for even at lower tides. generations to come .

Many places in the San Juans, especially low lying shoreline roads, are already impacted by coastal erosion and flooding. The numbers are expected to increase dramatically— FACT! with 11 miles of county roads threatened by increased flooding or erosion from rising sea levels by 2050, and 20 miles vulnerable by 2100. photo by Chris Teren 29 Each shoreline type will respond differently to the increased erosion and flood hazards Are you worried about storms adaptation associated with rising sea levels. and erosion? approaches If you have concerns, consult a coastal geologist on the best adaptation approach for your property. you can help your property adapt to changing conditions It is important to understand For many, simple, low cost steps potential impacts of sea level such as setting back development rise on your shoreline and the best and retaining a buffer of native management options for your site . trees and shrubs between your home and the water can help avoid Common adaptation strategies or reduce storm driven erosion include fortifying with hard and flood impacts associated with armoring, setting infrastructure rising seas . For others, a coastal back out of harm’s way, elevating geologist can advise you on the relocate structures fortify elevate structures beach nourishment structures, and using natural best option to protect your home Moving a structure away from Hard shoreline armoring can reduce Raising the elevation of vulnerable Natural materials such as gravel protection approaches such as and the natural resources that an eroding or low lying shore will short-term wave erosion hazards, structures can reduce flood hazards and vegetation can be used to gravel berms and vegetation . Each define these islands protect your home, maintain but it also starves nearby beaches, in low lying areas and protect fish build a storm berm to absorb wave solution is site-specific . habitat, and save you money impacts fish and wildlife habitat, and wildlife habitat; however, it does energy, reduce erosion, and protect in the long term. requires maintenance, and does not not address erosion. structures and shoreline habitats. address flooding.

When we were looking at our options for redeveloping our property, one of the current water levels things we took into account was sea level rise. We wanted to get rid of the big seawall KEY and make sure both the house and beach would be around in 100 years. By moving future water levels the house back, we were able restore the beach for now and the future. ––John and Maia Vechey, Orcas 30 Adaptation graphic concepts created by Coastal Geologic Services in partnership with Friends of the San Juans. 31 Landowner resources there are many resources available to help you understand and manage your shoreline

REGULATORY AGENCIES LOCAL RESOURCES

To protect your property, your safety, Office of Regulatory Innovation WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Do you have Friends of the San Juans researches, SJC Marine Resources Committee (MRC) and our region’s natural and cultural and Assistance helps coordinate reviews and permits hydraulic questions, protects, and restores local shoreline is an advisory board to the County Council habitats and provides resources to on the marine environment; serves as the resources, landowners are required between state, local, and permits for activities that concerns or federal permits. 800.917.0043 occur or impact habitat below landowners. 360.378.2319 www.sanjuans.org local salmon recovery citizen committee. to check with the County Planning www.oria.wa.gov ordinary high water. 360.902.2534 need help? 360.370.7592 www.sjcmrc.org Department before proceeding with wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/hpa/ Many Northwest Straits Foundation any tree and vegetation removal, Army Corps of Engineers requires organizations offers incentives and services to San Juan Islands Conservation District clearing, grading, drainage alteration, a permit for any beach structures/ WA Dept. of Ecology provides provide free shoreline landowners. 360.733.1725 works with landowners to improve erosion control, or other construction modifications occurring below mean assistance with water quality assistance www.nwstraitsfoundation.org stewardship and conservation in the islands. 360.378.6621 www.sanjuanislandscd.org activities within 200 feet of the higher high water. 206.764.3495 certifications 360.407.6068 and State to shoreline shoreline . Many shoreline activities www.nws.usace.army.mil Environmental Policy Act review property owners . SJC Environmental Services is home 360.407.6922 www.ecy.wa.gov to stormwater, salmon recovery, also require review and permits from SJC Community Development derelict vessel program, and the Marine the Washington State Department of manages permits, exemptions, WA Dept. of Natural Resources Resources Committee. 360.370.0500 Fish and Wildlife and the U .S . Army variances and code violations. authorizes and/or provides leases sanjuanco.com/839/Environmental-Services Corps of Engineers . 360.378.2354 www.sanjuanco.com projects on or over state-owned aquatic lands. Orca Straits District: 360.856.3500 www.dnr.wa.gov We both strongly support strengthening shoreline protections. Why? We believe that our property is more valuable if we and our neighbors protect the shoreline. Orcas FACT! need salmon. Salmon need forage fish. Salmon and forage fish need the protection of eelgrass and kelp. Eelgrass and kelp need clean water. Shoreline protections are good for ecosystems and for the long-term economy of these lovely islands. 32 ––Val and Leslie Veirs, San Juan Island 33 This stewardship guide was created by Friends of the San Friends of the San Juans works to protect and restore the Juans with the generous support of The Wheeler Family Foundation, The Mountaineers Foundation, The Burning San Juan Islands and the for people and nature. Foundation, LUSH Cosmetics, and Friends members. PO Box 1344, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Design: Shew Design shewdesign.com Illustrations: Corbet Curfman riverbeddesign.com Friends (360) 378-2319 | www.sanjuans.org of the San Juans Cover photos: by Mark Gardner and Chris Teren