Puget sound marine and nearshore protection and restoration grant program

The outcomes and benefits include six acres of estuary treated through the removal of fill material and slope regrading, half a mile of shoreline armor removed, and beach nourishment. This project included outreach, through a separate grant to the Environmental Science Center, which created an opportunity for the public to learn about shoreline restoration and the importance of natural beach processes.

Near shore habitat was restored by removing creosoted material at the mouth of Chapman Bay, as well as one acre of riparian area planted and restored. This project fully restored riverine and tidal processes to acres of diked former tidal marsh. It meant half a mile of dikes were removed, and 60 acres of habitat were made available to salmonids through dike or berm modification and removal.

The project removed fill, structures, infrastructure, and invasive plants; restored grade to historic conditions; restored side-channel habitat; and involved planting of appropriate native species.

The project will include acquisition of approximately 2 acres and a 6. Heyer Drift Cell, adding 8. Heyer Natural Area. Through a combination of fees and conservation easements, this acquisition protected an exceptional feeder bluff that supplies sediment to Port Susan Bay.

It contributes to landscape-scale protection of one of the Sound's most intact estuarine and nearshore ecosystems. Approximately 20 acres of upland and feet of the property's shoreline habitat have been degraded by gravel mining activities. Acquisition of the property allows for future restoration of degraded habitat and nearshore processes.

The acquired area includes four parcels that total 33 acres of uplands, 2, feet of feeder bluff, 2 streams, and 26 acres of tidelands. Acquisition of the barrier and bluff-backed beach will protect the feeder bluff, vital nearshore migratory salmon corridor, and the Lyre River estuary.

This acquisition protects eelgrass and marine nearshore and forage fish spawning habitat. The project also removes over feet of shoreline armoring to reconnect feet of historically exceptional feeder bluff and feet of feeder bluff along Puget Sound.

Results and products Shoreline armoring The Marine Shoreline Design Guidelines Guidelines for shoreline site assessment and site-specific soft shore protection techniques. Invasive species detection and prevention Biofouling Assessment This report examines the issue of marine and estuarine invasions by biofouling-mediated non-indigenous species in Puget Sound. Eelgrass restoration Eelgrass Restoration in Puget Sound: Development and Testing of Tools for Optimizing Site Selection A set of tools to identify and test potential eelgrass restoration sites, as well as to identify stressors affecting eelgrass and other barriers to its recovery.

Kinney, A. Download the full report. Jump to navigation. A review of Puget Sound marine and nearshore grant program results, Part 1 A report from the University of Washington Puget Sound Institute summarizes and reviews 14 EPA-funded projects focusing on Puget Sound's marine and nearshore environments. The Grant Program has organized their investments into five areas: effective regulation and stewardship, habitat restoration and protection, addressing high priority threats invasive species and oil spills , cross cutting issues, and adaptive management.

Citation Kinney, A. Bringing together experts from federal, tribal, state, and local governments, universities, and non-profit organizations, PSNERP sought to describe the challenges, opportunities, and federal interests in the Puget Sound nearshore ecosystem.

Current efforts are focused on restoration of the Duckabush estuary in Hood Canal. Design and construction costs for this project are shared between the Corps and non-federal project partners, including WDFW.