Habitat projects go through many stages and may take years to complete.  Once the need for a restoration project is identified, they must be planned, engineered, permitted, and funded.  Here is a list of habitat projects HCSEG is currently working on.

Big Quilcene River LWD Project

Description: Dikes along the river channel will be removed, and engineered log jams will be strategically placed to create a more sinuous river system.  The project will increase channel complexity, and provide habitat for salmonids.

Little Quilcene Restoration

Description: The addition of engineered log jams in the river is the final phase of the Little Quilcene Delta Cone Removal.

Klingel Wetlands Dike Removal

Description: The Klingel Wetlands Dike near Lynch Cove will be removed.  The removal of the dike will restore the habitat of the Union River Estuary.

Hama Hama River LWD

Description: Large Woody Debris in the form of engineered log jams will be installed in the lower reaches of the Hama Hama River.  The project will provide improved habitat for salmon.

The Day-Lighting of Donkey Creek/Austin Estuary Restoration

Description: This is a 2-3 year project to restore Donkey Creek and improve estuary function.  The creek currently runs through an underground pipe.  The pipe will be removed and the stream channel will be "day-lighted."  The channel will be returned to a natural state with large woody debris and spawning gravel.  A fish friendly culvert will be installed under the roadway, and a pedestrian bridge will allow foot traffic.  The project will provide salmon spawning habitat.

Two projects are in the design phase:

Union River Dike Project

This project is in the early planning stage.  The dike borders the estuary and river channel to the southeast.  The Theler Wetlands trail runs along the top of the dike.  The goal of the project is to remove sections of the dike, replace them with pile-supported walkways, and keep the trail system intact.  The breaching of the dike will re-connect the estuary to the blocked habitat, providing more estuarine habitat for salmonids and many other organisms. 

Follow this Link to learn more about the project, read meeting minutes, and see meeting scedule.

Big Beef Creek Project

This project is also in the planning and design phase.  The goal is to restore the creek and estuary habitat while protecting the existing University of Washington research facility located at the mouth of Big Beef Creek. 

For more information on these and other habitat projects, please contact us at info@hcseg.org  or call the HCSEG Office at 360-275-3575.