2005/08/10 Council Agenda Packet

13 Exhibit 1 E. Nearshore / Port Area The Salmon Overlay did not focus on potential enhancement/restoration actions in this area, since the area is highly developed and opportunities are limited. Recent proposals by the Port of Everett and PSNERP to do beach enhancements along the BNSF line and ongoing consideration of replacing culverts under the BNSF rail line have focused more attention on this area. Enhancement/restoration actions in this area are likely to be very expensive, and are not likely to result in significant new habitat area, but have the potential to enhance the existing habitat. Because of the uncertainty related to the long-term success of potential nearshore beach enhancements along the BNSF rail line, and the high costs associated with these projects, the gains in IVA acre-points over the next 20 years are expected to be modest. Approximately 300 IVA acre-points could be reasonably anticipated. Although this area is highly developed, there are small enhancement / restoration actions that can be completed as properties redevelop. Examples include enhancing buffers, improving connections from the shoreline to streams, log storage removal, recontouring riprapped slopes to create intertidal benches at elevations that would support saltmarsh vegetation, and creating small pocket beaches by placing fine-grained sediments in front of existing riprap at low angle slopes to create low gradient beaches. The Draft Snohomish River Basin Salmon Conservation Plan recommends that a habitat restoration strategy be developed for nearshore urban shorelines in Everett and Mukilteo. The Plan states, "Although habitat gains in the nearshore are limited by shoreline development, the location of these urban areas increases their importance for maintaining and enhancing shorelines where possible." The examples of opportunities discussed below could provide information to help agencies and stakeholders formulate an appropriate strategy. 1. Public Property Examples of Restoration Opportunities As noted above, restoration opportunities in this area have not been studied or evaluated to the extent of other areas of the shoreline because of constraints in this area. The following projects provide examples of the types of restoration activities that might be feasible and beneficial for the shoreline between the Mukilteo Tank Farm Property and Port of Everett South Terminal (EMU 7). Further analysis and review will be necessary to determine if this type of work should be more widely considered for the nearshore and Port areas. a. Mukilteo Tank Farm and WSDOT Properties (EMU 7). 2.3 acres of degraded beach could be restored to natural profile. 0.4 acres of the project area will be planted with riparian vegetation to create a new 15- to 30-foot wide riparian buffer between the railroad and the intertidal zone. The habitat gained from restoration: X32 Section 3 General Goals, Objectives,Policies and Regulations Page 3-62