Project Updates
By Alison Studley

Ennis Creek Restoration
The Whatcom Land Trust recent acquired 50 acres of wetland habitat in the Upper Samish Watershed with funds from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. This acquisition will enable SFEG to implement a long awaited salmon restoration project for Ennis Creek, one of the primary spawning areas for coho salmon in the Samish Watershed. The 50 acres of wetland habitat border the Samish River and include the historic path of Ennis Creek. SFEG has a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will fund this habitat restoration project. Ennis Creek currently travels in a ditch with little habitat benefits along Innis Road and commonly causes flooding problems for the roadway. Restoration efforts will take Ennis Creek out of its ditched location and re-meander the creek through the Whatcom Land Trust's property to the Samish River. Large woody debris will be added to the channel and native plants will be planted along the riparian area. Whatcom County will construct a new stream crossing under Innis Road. This project will improve habitat for coho, steelhead and cutthroat.

Ennis Creek during flood stage, flowing across Innis Road.

Nookachamps Water Quality Improvement
SFEG was recently awarded a Centennial Clean Water Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to improve water quality in the Nookachamps Watershed. These funds will specifically be used to implement restoration projects along tributaries of Nookachamps Creek to help decrease water temperature and improve habitat for salmon. Because water quality is affected by everyone living in a watershed and not just those that own property along the creeks, SFEG will also utilize grant funds to perform education and outreach activities. SFEG will start a Stream Stewards program for residents of the Nookachamps Watershed in February 2005. This nine-month workshop series is designed to teach streamside residents about stewardship activities to protect water quality and salmon habitat in the Nookachamps Watershed. Participants will learn about their watershed and how to protect it by attending educational workshops, going on field trips and helping with restoration work parties. The Nookachamps Watershed is a very important tributary to the Skagit River for salmon. It contains all 5 species of salmon as well as steelhead and cutthroat trout. We are very excited about having the opportunity to work with residents and landowners of this important watershed.