Preface |
The Bainbridge Island Nearshore Assessment was funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) as part of its mission to support habitat protection and restoration projects. This project was initiated, in part, as a result of the recent listing of Puget Sound chinook salmon as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act and other proposed listings for Puget Sound marine species. The factors contributing to the decline of these species are complex and include, among other factors, the loss and modification of habitat caused by human activities across the region. Some of the early research suggests that the ecological functions and processes which form the habitat that support those species need to be maintained and protected in order to sustain natural populations. While Bainbridge Island does not naturally support freshwater use by chinook salmon, the City does include approximately 48.5 miles of saltwater shoreline which plays a critical role in the life-cycle of Puget Sound chinook and other species of concern. The overarching goal of this project and the City’s Salmon Recovery and Conservation Strategy is to collect and employ critical information to ensure that Bainbridge Island provides and maintains a healthy and functional ecosystem that contributes to sustainable salmonid populations within the region.
The goals of the Nearshore Assessment are to 1) conduct a baseline characterization of the Bainbridge Island nearshore environment and assess its ecological health and function, 2) identify restoration and preservation opportunities and develop a strategy for ranking and prioritizing opportunities, and 3) develop a management framework based on the functions and processes of nearshore ecology. The findings of the project will be used by the City and the Bainbridge Island community to propose, pursue, and make informed decisions about nearshore preservation and restoration opportunities. The knowledge gathered regarding management of nearshore resources will also be integrated into the City’s regulations that govern the development and use of the nearshore.
Management of the Bainbridge Island Nearshore Assessment was provided by the City of Bainbridge Island (COBI) with technical review and support provided by technical representatives of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the City’s Environmental Technical Advisory Committee.
Libby Hudson – Project Manager
Peter Namtvedt Best – Editor
City of Bainbridge Island
September 2002
Funding
The Bainbridge Island Nearshore Assessment has been funded by a $205,000 grant through the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board by the US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Grant CFDA #11.438, Award #NA06FP0201. The grant funds originated from federal sources and comprise $190,750 or 93.05% of the total estimated project cost. The City of Bainbridge Island has contributed $14,250 (6.95%) in cash contributions in addition to the in-kind contribution of staff and volunteer time and equipment. Additional in-kind contributions were generously provided by the Suquamish Tribe and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).
Acknowledgements
Battelle Marine Sciences Laboratory (MSL) prepared and organized the content of this report for the City of Bainbridge Island. Battelle did an exceptional job pulling this document together under the time and budget constraints. The City is responsible for reviewing, compiling, and publishing the report. The City’s Environmental Technical Advisory Committee provided peer review as well as general technical advice. A whole-hearted thank-you to the ETAC for all their volunteer time and effort. Thanks also goes to Cinde Donoghue, Tim Gates, and Hugh Shipman from the Washington State Department of Ecology for their helpful advice throughout the project. The technical representatives of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) provided early peer review of the scope-of-work for the project. Applied Environmental Services, Inc. and Anchor Environmental LLC prepared preliminary drafts of this report for the City.
Because of the nature of this document, there has been an extensive use of figures and tables from existing publications, especially the State of the Nearshore Ecosystem prepared for King County and the recent White Papers prepared for the Washington State Departments of Ecology (WDOE), Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Transportation (WSDOT). King County produced many of the graphics used in this report. Additionally, many of the photographs used throughout the document were taken by the Washington State Department of Ecology and Applied Environmental Services, Inc.
Principal Authors of Individual Chapters
Chapter I – Peter Namtvedt Best, Greg Williams
Chapter II – Nathan Evans2, Ron Thom2, Greg Williams
Chapter III – Martin Miller2
Chapter IV – Ron Thom, Dana Woodruff2
Chapter V – Dana Woodruff (Invertebrates, Mammals, Birds), Greg Williams (Fishes)
Chapter VI – Greg Williams
Chapter VII – Ron Thom, Greg Williams
Environmental Technical Advisory Committee
Jim Brennan - King County
Robert F. Cousins – Aspect Consulting
Wayne Daley – Daley Design
Paul Dorn – Suquamish Tribe
Roger Fuller – The Nature Conservancy (formerly with Kitsap County)
Conrad Mahnken – National Marine Fisheries Service
Christopher W. May – University of Washington
Mark E. Shaffer – Aspect Consulting
Doris Small – WA Department. of Fish and Wildlife
Randi Thurston – WA Department of Fish and Wildlife (alternate)
SRFB Technical Representatives
Helen Berry – WA Department of Natural Resources
Kurt Fresh – National Marine Fisheries Service (formerly WA Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Scott Redmand – Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team
Hugh Shipman – WA Department of Ecology
City Staff
Libby Hudson, Senior Planner
Peter Namtvedt Best, Planner
Judy Flanick, Administrative Secretary
Recommended Citation
Williams, G.D., R.M. Thom, M.C. Miller, D.L. Woodruff, N.R. Evans, and P.N. Best. 2003. Bainbridge Island Nearshore Assessment: Summary of Best Available Science. PNWD-3233. Prepared for the City of Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island, WA, by Battelle Marine Sciences Laboratory, Sequim, WA.
Cover Photos:
Left photo from the City of Bainbridge Island web page (2001); right-top photo: WA Department of Ecology (2000); and right-bottom photo: Applied Environmental Services, Inc. (2001).
Limitations
As with any report, there are limitations (inherent or otherwise) that must be acknowledged. This report is limited to the subjects covered, materials reviewed, and data available. The authors and reviewers have made a sincere attempt to provide accurate and thorough information using the most current and complete information available and their own best professional judgement. Since this document is a summary of the best available science, the reader is encouraged to become familiar with the original documents cited. Any questions regarding the content of this report should be referred to the original authors and the City of Bainbridge Island staff responsible for its production.
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