DISCOVERY BAY — Volunteers are needed for a beach planting project Saturday that is intended to slow down erosion and preserve a waterfront area.
The North Olympic Salmon Coalition, based in Port Hadlock, has bought 5,500 dune grass plugs it hopes to plant in intervals at the newly restored Maynard Beach in Discovery Bay.
“This is a great opportunity for people to come and participate in this project,” said Sarah Doyle, stewardship coordinator for the salmon coalition.
“Now that it’s completed, it’s a huge asset to the community.”
Saturday planting
The planting takes place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.
Some parking will be available on site, although organizers are encouraging participants to meet at the salmon coalition’s office at 205 W. Patison St. at the Schold Business Park in Port Hadlock at 8 a.m. to assemble carpools to the site.
Volunteers can just show up, but Doyle is requesting that people RSVP so organizers know how many people to expect.
Restoration
The planting effort is the capstone of a $1.9 million restoration project that included the relocation of a water line away from the beach and the removal of hazardous materials from the beach area.
The salmon coalition managed the project, drawing up the plans, acquiring the funding and hiring the contractors to complete the work, according to project manager Kevin Long.
Long said the project had been on the radar since 2004, when the property was purchased by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife with Federal Endangered Species Recovery monies.
Effort’s cost
Long said the pipe relocation cost $900,000 and the beach cleanup $891,000, with state funds from the Salmon Recovery Board and the Department of Natural Resources covering 54 percent of the costs.
Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife covered 44 percent.
The remainder was picked up by the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee and the Northwest Straits Commission, according to Long.
Long said the old water line followed the path of the railroad tracks and crossed several streams, interfering with the salmon habitat.
New water line
This summer, a new water line replaced 5,200 feet of pipe, reconnecting to the original line once it cleared the restored area.
Creosote was removed from the track area, pulling out 13,000 cubic yards of fill as well as 2,000 tons of rock and concrete rubble that stretched along 1,300 feet of shoreline.
More natural
The result was a more natural shoreline expected to be more inviting to salmon and shellfish, as it provides clear access to the estuary and the tidal channels.
Long said the area will require regular monitoring to make sure that invasive species such as scotch broom, knapweed and blackberry bushes don’t take over the 7-acre area.
“The excavators have left straight lines, and Mother Nature doesn’t like straight lines,” Long said.
“We are leaving it to her to shape the beach into a more natural form.”
Grass plugs
The grass plugs cost $5,400, about $1 each, and were purchased with an allocation from the Salmon Funding Recovery Board, Doyle said.
Delivered Wednesday, they are being stored at a Fish and Wildlife facility on West Uncas Road in Discovery Bay.
The plugs will be planted 3 feet apart at a tide elevation of 9 feet to 11 feet, which Doyle calls the “sweet spot” where the grass can thrive.
Doyle said about 37 volunteers have signed up for the project but is looking “to have as much of the community out as possible.
“If we get enough people out there, maybe we can get this all planted.”
Though individuals are welcome, the salmon coalition is specifically looking for large groups to plant all of the plugs.
Tools and gloves will be provided but are in limited supply.
Participants are asked to bring their own garden trowels, shovels, warm waterproof clothes, water, warm beverages and lunch.
The event also includes light refreshments and a guided tour of the newly completed restoration site.
To RSVP, email outreach@nosc.org or phone 360-379-8051.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
