Projects
OYSTERS FOR SALMON
In recent years, Eagle Harbor has lost a significant amount of eelgrass habitat, which provides valuable "nursery" functions for juvenile salmon and large numbers of other species. Eelgrass loss is attributed to nutrient pollution, which causes harmful algae and plankton blooms.
Oysters for Salmon is a pilot project using 100,000 oysters to help remediate nutrient pollution entering Eagle Harbor from septic systems, boat discharge, fertilizers, and other sources. This project is a partnership with two Bainbridge Island non-profit organizations: EcoSolutions and the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. Volunteers help conduct monitoring, maintenance, as well as education and outreach activities.
STRAWBERRY PLANT
The Strawberry Plant is located within a short walk of downtown Winslow and was acquired by the City for habitat restoration and park use. The Shoreline Stewardship Program has received a grant from the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board that will be matched with City and Park District funds for habitat restoration design and park planning in 2007. Construction is expected in 2008. The project will provide passive trails and park facilities, remove toxic treated wood, as well as restore intertidal, estuarine, marsh, and riparian habitats.
PRITCHARD PARK
Also known as Bill Point and the former Wyckoff Creosote Treatment Plant, there are significant planning efforts for further Superfund remediation of creosote contamination and park improvements being lead by the City, Park District, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Recent landslides along the eastern bluff has placed the existing access road at risk. As an alternative to the long term risks and costs of combating natural shoreline forces on such an exposed and unstable shoreline, the Shoreline Stewardship Program is leading an effort to relocate the access road and restore the natural feeder bluff function historically provided along Pritchard Park's eastern shoreline. This project is expected to be completed in 2008.
WATERFRONT PARK
A state Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) grant and City funds will be used to design and construct a beach and bank restoration project between the boat ramp and the Winslow Ravine Creek estuary. The resulting beach will be a nice mix of sands and small gravels designed for forage fish spawning that will also make the currently unusable beach enjoyable for walking and play. Drift wood will provide nice seating as well as provide some wildlife habitat and stabilize upper beach sediments.
EAGLE HARBOR CONDOMINIUMS
Like a number of low-bank or no-bank properties around Bainbridge Island, the Eagle Harbor Condominium property located between the Ferry Terminal and Maintenance Yard experienced a significant amount of erosion during the February 4, 2006 storm. Instead of pursuing harmful shoreline bulkheading, the Shoreline Stewardship Program is helping the condo association explore options for natural restoration using beach sediments and drift wood to protect buildings, make an attractive beach front, and enhance shoreline habitat.
PORT MADISON WATER COMPANY
The Port Madison Water Company property located inside Port Madison Bay includes coastal marsh, no-bank, and medium-bank shorelines. The site has been significantly modified by historic saw mill development and is now infested with numerous invasive species, including knotweed which is very difficult to control. The Shoreline Stewardship Program is assisting the water company develop restoration plans that would control invasive species and restore native plant communities.
CREOSOTE WOOD REMOVAL
A partnership with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources in their effort to remove derelict creosote treated wood from the waters of Puget Sound is one of the priority activities under the Governor's Puget Sound Initiative. This project will use state funds, contractors, and some local volunteers to remove tons of toxic creosote treated wood piles and drift wood from Eagle Harbor, Blakely Harbor, Murden Cove, and the eastern shoreline of Bainbridge Island. Private property owners that are willing to have their old creosote treated piles and drift wood removed at no cost to the property owner should contact the Shoreline Stewardship Program by the end of June to be added to the removal list.
MARINE RIPARIAN INITIATIVE
The Shoreline Stewardship Program is partnering with the Bainbridge Island Land Trust in a pilot project to conserve existing high-quality marine riparian areas and feeder bluffs with conservation easements.
This approach conserves habitat and provides significant financial benefits to willing property owners, who will maintain private control over their property consistent with the conservation easement. Lots of conservation easements have been adopted on properties within Bainbridge Island, now we want to see if they will be as warmly embraced along our shorelines.
PRIVATE PROPERTIES AND SMALLER PROJECTS
In addition to the projects on public lands and large private projects, the Shoreline Stewardship Program works on smaller scale projects on private properties all over Bainbridge Island. If you own waterfront property and would like a free no-commitment consultation about possible stewardship actions on your property, contact the Shoreline Stewardship Program to schedule a visit.
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