|
WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Updates
Salmon SEEson program kicks off!
The WRIA 8-led Salmon SEEson program kicked off in September, coordinating with program partners to highlight and promote opportunities for the public to see salmon in local streams and rivers when they return in the fall. The Salmon SEEson website provides a map and details for several self-guided viewing locations as well as in-person interpretive viewing opportunities. Counts of fish passing through the Ballard Locks indicate larger numbers of Chinook and coho salmon, but still a low number of sockeye. As of October 2, the runs of sockeye, Chinook, and coho are 100% complete. Sockeye counts (23,901) are the third lowest on record. For context, 350,000 sockeye must be forecasted at the Ballard Locks to open a Lake Washington fishery. Chinook counts (23,322) are the second highest on record since 1995. The highest count occurred in 2007, with 31,636 Chinook estimated at the Locks. Coho counts (49,188) were more than twice the 5- and 10-year averages. While the Locks counts are encouraging, it’s important to note that in recent years the actual numbers of Chinook reaching the spawning grounds have been much lower than what is predicted by the Locks count and have remained below population recovery goals for the watershed.
 |
Salmon SEEson is coordinated by WRIA 8 with additional sponsorship support from the Saving Water Partnership, Duwamish Alive Coalition, the Green/Duwamish and Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA 9), the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, and King County.
Salmon in the News
A deep dive into Seattle's busy, beloved Ballard Locks.
Read the full article.
Salmon Recovery: More Work to be Done (Letter to Editor from Former WRIA 8 Council Vice Chair, Mark Phillips)
Read the full article.
Meadowdale Beach Park Project Celebration.
Read the full article.
Return of Salmon to Elwha River.
Read the full article.
"To Save WA Salmon, Choose Science, not Silver Bullets".
Read the full article.
Scene in Edmonds: Ribbon-Cutting Officially Dedicates Meadowdale Beach Park and Estuary.
Read the full article.
Scene in Edmonds: Edmonds Marsh Volunteers Conclude their Restoration Work for the Year.
Read the full article.
Salmon Focused Tribal Gathering at the Tulalip Casino.
Read the full article.
Project and Program Updates
Culvert Replacement/Fish Passage Restoration Project in Smuggler Gulch
The City of Mukilteo, in its continued commitment to improve surface water run-off and water quality has completed a culvert replacement project in Smugglers Gulch as it crosses 61st PL W. In cooperation with Federal, State and Tribal partners an aging 24” CMP culvert was replaced with a 6’x 8’ concrete box-culvert. In addition, the City restored approximately 320’ of instream habitat and riparian area to ensure the long-term stability of the stream structure and good habitat for fish and other aquatic species. Soon the City hopes to work with the local homeowners association and BNSF Railway to restore the last 350 feet to Puget Sound to ensure complete access to Smugglers Gulch for all aquatic species along with a healthy stream corridor.
 |
Join the journey of a lifetime!
Visit the Cedar River in the Renton and Maple Valley areas to see salmon spawning this October! Trained naturalists will be on-site to help you spot spawning salmon and learn about the things we can all do to help them.
Join the Cedar River Salmon Journey (CRSJ) on October 21, 22, 28 and 29, 11am–4pm, at the Renton Library, Cedar River Park, Riverview Park, Belmondo Reach, and Landsburg Park and Dam. View the website for more information and educational resources. The CRSJ program is part of Salmon SEEson.
It is a great time to visit the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery!
The hatchery is in peak season with 100s of chinook and coho in the stream and 1000s in the holding ponds, so far 6,000 have been trapped. The hatchery now has a self-guided tour as well as an audio tour in five languages. Can’t make it to the hatchery in person? View the FISH salmon cam.
Issaquah Salmon Hatchery is looking for volunteers to help with spawning, since they will have about 4-5 times the normal number of fish. Email volunteer@issaquahfish.org for more information. Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) is always looking for partners, groups and corporations for riparian restoration projects along our shoreline. Email execdir@issaquahfish.org with inquiries.
Salmon Survival Jigsaw - New Curriculum Resources from Sustainability Ambassadors
“Salmon Survival Jigsaw” is a robust lesson that engages teams of middle school and high school students in a puzzle-like analysis of selected graphics, videos, maps, and text. Can salmon and people thrive? Get the Lesson | View the full Salmon Stewardship Collection.
FEATURED MAP: Our fascinating, high-resolution map of WRIA 8 features nothing but streams, rivers and water bodies. No roads. No city boundaries. No buildings or shopping centers. It's a fun, visual puzzle to get to know your watershed address without human-built infrastructure to guide you. Get the Map | See our interactive Community Impact Mapping Website.
Email Peter Donaldson with questions, insights, or new connections: peter@sustainabilityambassadors.org.
Funding Opportunities
Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board
The Legislature established the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board grant program in 2014 to identify and remove impediments to salmon and steelhead migration. The grant program is administered jointly by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The next grant round opened on October 2nd and will accept applications through January 18th, 2024. View the website to learn more.
Upcoming NOAA Opportunities:
Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants - Proposals Due: November 17, 2023
Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal and Great Lakes States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative - Letter of Intent Due: November 30 2023, Full Proposal Due: February 13, 2024
NIDIS Tribal Drought Resilience - Letter of Intent Due: November 2, 2023, Full Proposal Due: February 15, 2024
King County Conservation Futures Policy Updates
King County Conservation Futures acquisition grants can help governmental agencies and qualified conservation nonprofits buy or preserve open spaces and parks. Grants may help purchase or conserve urban greenspaces, natural areas, forests, community gardens, farms, and trails – including stormwater parks or parks near affordable housing.
King County has announced important policy updates: the required project match has been reduced to 25% of total project costs for future awards; opportunity area projects may qualify for a match waiver. Initial site stabilization costs related to public safety or resource protection are now an eligible cost, such as structure demolition, signage, fencing.
The next Conservation Futures grant round opens November 6, 2023, and applications are due February 12, 2024. Contact Ingrid.Lundin@kingcounty.gov with questions.
|
