Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report Shoreline Master Program Update La Conner, Washington Ecology Grant #G1100003 Deliverable for Task 2.3 Due to Ecology: October 31, 2011 Prepared for: Town of La Conner P.O. Box 400 La Conner, Washington 98257 Attention: John Doyle Prepared by: GeoEngineers, Inc. 600 Dupont Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 360.647.1510 Town of La Conner - Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report Contents 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Purpose ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Regulatory Overview ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.3. Shoreline Jurisdiction and Definitions .......................................................................................... 2 1.4. Relationship to Other Plans and Programs ................................................................................... 3 1.4.1. Town Plans and Programs ..................................................................................................... 3 1.4.2. Regional, State and Federal Programs .................................................................................. 3 2.0 Methods ............................................................................................................................................ 4 2.1. Shoreline Inventory ....................................................................................................................... 4 2.2. Characterizing Ecosystem‐wide Processes and Shoreline Functions ............................................ 4 2.3. Inventory and Characterization Approach for Shoreline Reaches ................................................ 5 3.0 Ecosystem‐wide Profile ..................................................................................................................... 6 3.1. Watershed Overview (WRIA 3 – Lower Skagit/Samish) ................................................................ 6 3.2. Padilla Bay ..................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2.1. Existing Land Use and Cover ................................................................................................. 7 3.2.2. Water Quality ........................................................................................................................ 7 3.2.3. Non‐Native Invaders ............................................................................................................. 7 3.3. The Skagit River & Skagit Bay ........................................................................................................ 8 3.3.1. Existing Land Use and Cover ................................................................................................. 8 3.3.2. Water Quality ........................................................................................................................ 9 3.3.3. Non‐Native Invaders ............................................................................................................. 9 3.4. The Swinomish Channel ................................................................................................................ 9 3.4.1. Existing Land Use and Cover ................................................................................................. 9 3.4.2. Water Quality ........................................................................................................................ 9 3.4.3. Non‐Native Invaders ........................................................................................................... 10 4.0 Physical and Biological Features in the Vicinity of the Swinomish Channel ................................... 10 4.1. Climate ........................................................................................................................................ 10 4.2. Geology ....................................................................................................................................... 10 4.3. Fish and Wildlife Habitats ........................................................................................................... 11 4.3.1. Marine Beaches and Tidal Areas ......................................................................................... 11 i Town of La Conner - Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report 4.3.2. Eelgrass and Kelp Beds ........................................................................................................ 12 4.3.3. Wetlands ............................................................................................................................. 12 4.4. Fish and Wildlife Species ............................................................................................................. 13 4.4.1. Marine Mammals ................................................................................................................ 13 4.4.2. Seabirds and Waterfowl ...................................................................................................... 13 4.4.3. Shorebirds ........................................................................................................................... 14 4.4.4. Forage Fish .......................................................................................................................... 14 4.4.5. Salmonids ............................................................................................................................ 14 4.4.6. Marine Invertebrates .......................................................................................................... 15 5.0 Ecosystem Processes ....................................................................................................................... 15 5.1. Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Processes .................................................................................... 15 5.2. Alterations to Nearshore Processes ............................................................................................ 16 5.2.1. Shoreline Armoring ............................................................................................................. 17 5.2.2. Shoreline Development ...................................................................................................... 17 5.2.3. Floodplain Development ..................................................................................................... 17 5.2.4. Dredging and Filling ............................................................................................................ 18 5.2.5. Jetties and Causeways ........................................................................................................ 18 5.2.6. Agricultural Runoff .............................................................................................................. 18 5.2.7. Marinas and Vessel Traffic .................................................................................................. 19 5.2.8. Climate Change/Sea Level Rise ........................................................................................... 19 6.0 Conditions by Reach ........................................................................................................................ 19 6.1. Reach 1 – Marine Harbors, Industrial and Commercial, North of Downtown............................ 19 6.1.1. Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 21 6.2. Reach 2 – Downtown La Conner ‐ South to Sherman Boat Launch ............................................ 21 6.2.1. Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 23 6.3. Reach 3 – Pioneer Point – South of Sherman Boat Launch ........................................................ 23 6.3.1. Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 25 7.0 Land Use within Shoreline Planning Area ....................................................................................... 25 7.1. Historic Land Use ........................................................................................................................ 25 7.2. Current Land Use ........................................................................................................................ 26 7.3. Transportation ............................................................................................................................ 28 7.4. Wastewater and Stormwater Utilities ........................................................................................ 28 ii Town of La Conner - Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report 8.0 Natural Resource Lands and Critical Areas within Shoreline Planning Area .................................. 28 8.1. Wetlands ..................................................................................................................................... 29 8.2. Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas .................................................................................................. 29 8.3. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation