Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council November 10, 2007

NEARSHORE PARTNERSHIP IN CONTEXT Dr. Jeff Koenings Director, Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Co-Chair Nearshore Partnership Executive Committee Col. Michael McCormick District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District Co-Chair Nearshore Partnership Executive Committee

MISSION To protect and restore the functions and natural processes of the Puget Sound nearshore ecosystem in support of the natural resources and beneficial uses of Puget Sound and the Puget Sound Basin.

PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE PARTNERSHIP Curtis Tanner & Bernie Hargrave

WHO ARE WE? EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STEERING COMMITTEE SCIENCE COMMITTEE IMPLEMENTATION TEAM

PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE The estuarine delta & marine shoreline areas of shallow water from the top of the coastal bank or bluffs to water at depths associated w/ photic zone.

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT THE PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE? NEARSHORE supports: RecreationRecreation Water qualityWater quality Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage Fish and WildlifeFish and Wildlife EconomyEconomy

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT THE PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE? NEARSHORE supports: RecreationRecreation Water qualityWater quality Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage Fish and WildlifeFish and Wildlife EconomyEconomy

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT THE PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE? NEARSHORE supports: RecreationRecreation Water qualityWater quality Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage Fish and WildlifeFish and Wildlife EconomyEconomy

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT THE PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE? NEARSHORE supports: RecreationRecreation Water qualityWater quality Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage Fish and WildlifeFish and Wildlife EconomyEconomy

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT THE PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE? NEARSHORE supports: RecreationRecreation Water qualityWater quality Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage Fish and WildlifeFish and Wildlife EconomyEconomy

HOW DO ECOSYSTEMS WORK? Natural processes creates structure; Structure provides habitat; Habitat functions supports biological communities. structure function process

WHAT IS OUR APPROACH? Using Science to: Identify natural processes that support nearshore ecosystems Understand “what’s broken & where” Determine where processes need protection and restoration

WHAT IS OUR APPROACH? Engage Stakeholders to: Determine desired future condition of Puget Sound nearshore Identify locally supported actions Develop a restoration and protection strategy

UNDERSTANDING NEARSHORE ECOSYSTEM CHANGE Historic  Current  Future

HISTORIC CONDITIONS c.a. 1850’s Coast & Geodetic Survey Maps

CURRENT CONDITIONS

CHANGE ANALYSIS

How much is enough? FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION

CORPS OF ENGINEERS “ALTERNATIVES” PLAN APPROACH Future WITH and WITHOUT Large-scale Ecosystem Restoration

What if we do nothing? “Ecological Functions” (-) 120 YrsToday+ 50 Yrs Future Without Project Condition

What are the benefits of restoration? “Ecological Functions” (-) 120 Yrs Today + 50 Yrs Future With Project Condition +

What are the benefits of restoration? “Ecological Functions” (-) 120 Yrs Today + 50 Yrs Future With Project Condition +

What are the benefits of restoration? “Ecological Functions” (-) 120 Yrs Today + 50 Yrs Future With Project Condition +

WHAT FUTURE DO WE WANT? Science Products Stakeholder Involvement Final Feasibility Report to Congress

WHAT ARE WE DELIVERING? Input to 2020 Action Agenda Reports and Science products Early Actions Final Feasibility Report to Congress Additional source of Federal funds

PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE PARTNERSHIP Debby Hyde

WHY PARTICIPATE? ECOSYSTEM APPROACH

WHY PARTICIPATE? ABILITY TO LEVERAGE KNOWLEDGE ABILITY TO LEVERAGE FUNDS

DO WE HAVE TO WAIT? DIRECT RELEVANCE NOW

DO WE HAVE TO WAIT? CRITICAL AREA REGULATION UPDATE SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM /REGULATION UPDATES

ONGOING UPDATE OF SALMON RECOVERY CHAPTERS INFORM INDIVIDUAL PROJECT DEVELOPMENT FUNDING PROJECTS THROUGH ESTUARY AND SALMON RESTORATION PROGRAM (ESRP)

PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE PARTNERSHIP Terry Wright

EARLY ACTIONS The Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) was created by legislation to advance early action projects –Multiple sponsors –Multiple fund sources –Learning by doing

CASE STUDY: SKOKOMISH ESTUARY RESTORATION

SKOKOMISH ESTUARY RESTORATION Effective partnership –Skokomish Tribe and Tacoma Public Utilities –Mason Conservation District –Multiple fund sources Nearshore Partnership/WDFW Corps of Engineers Salmon Recovery Funding Board U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service NOAA

IMPORTANT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE PARTNERSHIP Dr. Jacques White

Ecosystem-based approach to restoration consistent with TNC Ecoregional planning

TNC needs restoration actions to meet conservation goals

Dike removed to grade Areas identified as critical for fish and wildlife need restored processes and function.

CORPS NEEDS WILLING LANDOWNERS

COMPLEMENTS WORK OF THE CONSERVATION COMMUNITY Science-Based Early Actions Regional Coalition Education Basin-wide Scale New Funding Source

PUGET SOUND NEARSHORE PARTNERSHIP Tim Smith

AREAS WHERE WE WORK TOGETHER Puget Sound Partnership Goals Habitat Protection Habitat Restoration Toxics/pollution Human/Animal Waste Stormwater management Water supply Species/biodiversity Education Science

AREAS WHERE WE WORK TOGETHER Nearshore Partnership Activities Habitat Protection Habitat Restoration Toxics/pollution Human/Animal Waste Stormwater management Water supply Species/biodiversity Education Science

WHAT CAN WE OFFER Relationships w/ diverse partners Science-based approach and technical tools Funding mechanism –Strategic investments –Increased capacity Lessons learned from project implementation

For More Information Please Visit Our Website: Contact PSNERP Project Managers: Bernie Hargrave Curtis D. Tanner