National Estuary Program - NOAA Community-Based Restoration Partnership
Preproposal – October 5, 2009
I. Applicant Information
Northwest Straits Foundation
10441 Bayview-Edison
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
www.nwstraits.org
II. Project Contact
Joan Drinkwin, Development Director
360-733-1725 (phone and fax)
Drinkwin@nwstraits.org
Congressional District: 2
III. Project Information
1. Project name: East March’s Point Shoreline Drift Cell Restoration / Groin Removal Project
2. Project start date: 2/1/2010
3. Project end date: 7/30/2011
4. Project location: City of Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington State
5. Land Ownership (public/private): private
6. Type(s) of habitat: Nearshore, intertidal, beach, sea grass
7. NOAA Trust Resource(s) to benefit from restoration: herring (Clupea pallasi), surf smelt
(Hypomesus pretiosus), sandlance (Ammodytes hexapterus), all species of Puget Sound salmon
(Oncorhynchus sp.) including listed Chinook, Dungeness crab (Cancer magister), eelgrass (Zostera
marina).
8. Partners involved: Skagit Marine Resources Committee (MRC), Skagit Conservation District,
Tesoro Refining
9. Federal, state or local permits required: Hydraulic Project Approval (state); SEPA checklist,
Shoreline permit, Critical Areas permit (Anacortes); NEPA, ESA, EFH consultations (NOAA);
Section 106 permit (state)
IV. Project Abstract
1. Project objectives: Restore nearshore habitat for juvenile salmon and forage fish by restoring
longshore drift and sediment transport processes to the nearshore along approximately 400 feet of
shoreline along East March’s Point in Padilla Bay.
2. Description of project to be completed with this funding: The March’s Point nearshore provides
numerous habitats for species ranging from sea grasses and macroalgae, to shellfish, fish and
wildlife, such as Pacific herring, surf smelt, all lifestages of all salmon species including cutthroat,
dolly varden and steelhead, Dungeness crab, hardshell clams, flatfish and birds. Like all nearshore
environments in Puget Sound, March’s Point provides a variety of critical functions for salmon at
all life stages, such as food production (forage fish) and refugia habitat.
The proposed project involves removing groins associated with an old boat ramp located
about 600 feet south of the cusp of March’s Point, removing scattered riprap from the beach, and
interplanting native shoreline vegetation. Approximately 400 feet of shoreline will be treated. .
Removal of the groins will restore longshore sediment transport which appears to have been altered
after the boat ramp was constructed in 1978.
Rocky groins on either side of the boat ramp have prevented longshore drift from carrying
sediment from the south to the north side of the ramp. The groins have caused erosion and beach
coarsening because of scour caused by waves reflecting off of the groins. Because of this, the
shoreline sediment north of the groins is now predominantly composed of coarse sediment and
pebbles and is no longer ideal for forage fish spawning, which requires a mixture of coarse and fine
sediments. Surf smelt were documented to spawn on beaches adjacent to the project area. This
project will restore forage fish spawning habitat by restoring the processes supplying finer sediment
to the beach.
3. If the project is part of a larger regional and/or local effort, briefly describe this
Effort: A number of studies on the habitat values of March’s Point, Fidalgo Bay, and Padilla Bay
have been completed. Restoration of sediment processes along both sides of March’s Point is a
priority for both the Skagit MRC and the Skagit River Systems Cooperative (SRSC- tribal
interests). The SRSC is undertaking an ambitious project on the West side of March’s Point
involving removal of derelict structures, beach nourishment, and habitat restoration. A number of
other projects along March Point are identified as future priorities for both groups.
4. Describe the specific on-the-ground activities to be undertaken to achieve project objectives:
Engineered design is complete. The project involves removing 700 cubic yards / 1150 tons of rock
and concrete blocks from two existing groins and disposing them offsite. The work also includes
removing about 10 cubic yards / 16 tons of scattered riprap debris from the surrounding beach. The
work will be done using a large tracked excavator or crane operating from an existing boat ramp
and a small, bobcat-type loader operating on the beach. Holes left after riprap removal will be
allowed to fill in with natural tidal and wave action. 6500 square feet of backshore south of the
removed groins will be inter-planted with Lyngby’s sedge, Baltic rush, and Seashore saltgrass to
enhance habitat and deter erosion.
5. Describe project partners and their contribution: Skagit Marine Resources Committee will
provide project oversight. Northwest Straits Foundation is the fiscal agent for the project and will
manage all contracts and finances. Matching funds are committed from the Foundation. Tom
Slocum, Skagit Conservation District, has developed the engineered design for the project and has
committed to oversee construction and serve as the project engineer. Tesoro is the landowner and
supports the project and will continue to allow public access to the boat ramp (funding from Tesoro
is being requested).
6. Describe the community involvement through an educational and/or volunteer
component: Before and after construction monitoring will document effects on forage fish habitat
and vegetation cover. Beach elevation will also be monitored. A formal monitoring plan will be
developed in consultation with NOAA/CRP staff and staff from Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife (Dan Pentilla). Monitoring will be designed to be conducted by volunteers from the
MRC and the Skagit County WSU Beach Watchers program.
V. Budget
Budgeted line item expenditures
NEP/CRP
requested
Travel
Supplies
Contractual - associated with riprap
and rock removal
Construction- associated with riprap
and rock removal
indirect
Total
$10,000.00
Matching NWSF
(confirmed)
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$7,000.00
$15,000.00
$15,000.00
$30,000.00
$3750.00
$28,750.00
$3750.00
$28,750.00
$7,500.00
$57,500.00
VI. Supplemental Information
1. Engineered drawings of project
2. Letter of concurrence from Puget Sound Partnership (requested)
3. Tesoro letter of support (in transit)
$1,000.00
$ 2,000.00
$17,000.00