pre proposal statement

NCRF PRE-PROPOSAL – Narrative Template

PART I – PROJECT OVERVIEW

1.     Project Context: 

     Project would define the planning process for reconnecting the Edmonds Marsh to Puget Sound and restoring estuary habitat; a plan that would support the Puget Sound food web and create rearing habitat for salmon, forage fish, birds and wildlife. Restoring the estuary would also reduce flooding of the adjacent urban area.
     The original marshland of approximately 100 acres was a valuable resource for the Coast Salish People, offering a rich source of fish, shellfish, and plant gathering opportunity. Over time the marsh has been cut off and filled, reducing it to less than a quarter of its former size. Railroad tracks and a marina lie between the former estuary and Puget Sound. The current link to the Sound is through a 1600-foot pipe that is too long and deep for salmon access.

     A 22-acre parcel now owned by Unocal is adjacent to the Edmonds Marsh. Portions of that property are contaminated but are being cleaned-up under a consent decree between Unocal and the Department of Ecology. When the Department of Ecology certifies that clean-up is complete, the Unocal property and a channel through Marina Beach Park could be excavated to restore the estuary for the Marsh and the two streams that flow into the Marsh.

     The City of Edmonds has obtained a first right of refusal to purchase the property once the Department of Ecology certifies that clean-up is complete.

     The project would evaluate the risks associated with legacy contaminants and also clarify how flooding in the area would be impacted by estuary restoration. Existing and future flooding of roads and adjacent commercial properties is a major concern given expectations of sea level rise and more intense storms. Information gathered will assist City planning for flood protection actions and land use decisions.

2.     Proposed Solution:

     Excavation of the Unocal property plus a channel through an existing bridge under the railroad and through Marina Beach Park would restore the estuary and create habitat for multiple species in a historically important site. This planning work funded by this grant would be followed by acquisition, design, and construction. The project will answer:

·       What additional data is needed?

·       What are the restoration model alternatives and how will the community be involved in the selection process?

·       What funding agencies are options, what permits are needed, and what tasks are required to complete a restoration plan?

·       How does restoration affect floodwater elevations?

·       What are the impacts to surface water of exposure to contaminated soils?

Restoration Planning Project Element
The purpose of this project component is to define the tasks required to support the restoration planning process:

·       Locate, evaluate, and summarize existing data. Identify data gaps.

·       List and describe restoration alternatives.

·       Evaluate the potential impact of exposing contaminated soil to surface water.

·       Identify City, County, State and Federal permits required for alternative proposals.

·       Evaluate options for full project funding, including land purchase and restoration. Collect endorsement letters.

·       Identify a process that defines community goals for the marsh.

·       Produce a restoration scoping document that lists the tasks required to complete a restoration plan.

Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling Project Element
     The purpose of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling is to evaluate the changes to water levels and velocities in and around the Edmonds Marsh resulting from restoring an open estuary connection to Puget Sound. Previous modeling did not address full excavation of the portions of the Unocal property that were originally wetland and did not use updated sea level rise predictions.

·       Meet with Public Works staff to collect previous hydrologic and hydraulic models, topographic data for Marsh and Marina Beach Park, existing conditions of stream and stormwater sources to and under the Marsh

·       Identify estuary design alternatives for modeling purposes. These would include models for existing conditions, maximum (historic marsh area) excavation of the Unocal site and estuary channel to Puget Sound, and two alternatives for less than maximum excavation.

·       Prepare cross-section of topography for proposed alternatives

·       Hydrologic Model: Prepare and run the Ecology WHMM to model hydrologic inflows to the marsh.

·       Hydraulic Model: Prepare and run hydraulic model for all proposed estuary alternatives

·       Evaluate and summarize results of modeling.

Deliverables will include a restoration planning report that incudes hydraulic models.

3.     Project Category: Community Capacity Building and Planning

4.     Community Impact and Engagement:

     The project is within the City of Edmonds, Washington. The restoration planning study will provide a community engagement plan as well as critical information to guide ongoing, active community discussions with environmental activists, public agencies, and non-profit organizations regarding the proposal.

     Partners for implementation will include the City of Edmonds, the Port of Edmonds, Tulalip Tribes, Snohomish County, Department of Ecology, Edmonds Marsh Estuary Advocates (https://www.edmondsmarshestuary.org/), Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group, Sound Salmon Solutions, Pilchuck Audubon Society, Port of Edmonds, and others.

5.     Anticipated Community Resilience and Fish and Wildlife Benefits:

     Benefits will include creation of up to 20 acres of additional wetland and estuary habitat in addition to restoration and improvement of another 10 to 20 acres of wetland. Project will alleviate flooding of adjacent roads, commercial and public properties.

     Ecological benefits are to the health and water quality of Puget Sound, to salmon recovery, and to other fish and wildlife. Estuaries provide a nourishing foundation that supports a wide range of life, however most tidal saltwater wetland habitat has disappeared in Puget Sound. Chum and coho salmon would spawn in the creeks that feed the Edmonds Marsh Estuary and their young would rear in its protected waters. Juvenile Chinook salmon would migrate from the Sound into the estuary to feed. It would become priority habitat for migratory and resident waterfowl, be a nursery ecosystem for multiple aquatic species, and help remove nutrients and pollutants from urban marsh watersheds.

     In addition to ecological and flood hazard benefits, the project would:

    add recreational opportunities such as salmon, bird and other wildlife viewing enhanced with the addition of viewing platforms, boardwalks, and pathways.

    add educational opportunities through signage and an interpretive center.