Herald staff
MONROE — Everett-based Adopt-A-Stream Foundation and state Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists and technicians are removing undersized pipes on Riley Slough to improve passage of juvenile salmon to and from the Snohomish River.
Dave Steiner, Fish and Wildlife Department manager, said after the pipes are taken out bridges will be installed so that the landowner, Kurt Biderbost, still will be able to move his farm equipment across the slough. But the juvenile salmon will have better access to some great rearing areas.
The Riley Slough project is one of 13 that will be completed by the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation during the next two years in the lower Sammamish and lower Snohomish River basins.
"This one is taking place on farmland," Steiner said. "We are also going to remove major barriers to salmon migration in Little Bear Creek in downtown Woodinville, create 2,000 feet of new stream channel on a tributary of Allen Creek near Marysville, and restore stream banks on Nickel, Tambark, Groenveld and Winters Creeks.
"We are even going to build a two-acre native plant salvage site where plants can be saved from new construction projects and be put to use in future stream and wetland restoration projects."
Steiner said Riley Slough is a big job that is being done in partnership with the Snohomish Resource Conservation District.
The effort would not be taking place without widespread support from many players, Adopt-A-Stream Foundation director Tom Murdoch said.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded the foundation a $405,000 challenge grant to support the restoration effort.
Snohomish County Parks and Recreation is providing stream restoration in two parks, and a native plant restoration site in a third.
The cities of Woodinville and Marysville are supplying funds and technical support. Snohomish County Surface Water Management is providing restoration materials and technical support.
The Sammamish River Forum and King County’s Waterworks Grant Program have awarded additional grants. Matching funds and in-kind services total $417,000.
"Our task is to correct man-made problems affecting salmon and demonstrate how to avoid future problems of a similar nature with better land-use planning. But we are really looking for a reward at the end … to see salmon using the new habitat that we have created for them," Murdoch said.
For more information, contact Murdoch at 425-316-8592.
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