Shoreline armoring associated with roads has been identified as the largest impact to forage fish spawning habitat in San Juan County. The project site was selected based on results of habitat assessments, feasibility analysis, and the likelihood of successful implementation over the short term.
Smuggler’s Cove Road is located on Blind Bay, Shaw Island, within a priority nearshore habitat region. Rock removal from the beach and habitat enhancement through beach nourishment addressed the negative impacts of shoreline armoring associated with a county road at a publicly owned, documented forage fish spawning beach. Project partners, Friends of the San Juans and San Juan County Public Works, completed project designs, permitting, landowner outreach, engineering, and implementation.
Project results included the enhancement of forage fish spawning habitat, increased capacity of San Juan County to address shoreline habitat issues associated with county roads, and improved landowner and public support for restoration projects associated with county infrastructure.
Acknowledgements: Lopez Sand and Gravel, San Juan County Public Works, Drayton Archeological Research, and Coastal Geologic Services.
Funders: Friends members, Washington Department of Ecology’s Coastal Protection Fund, and The Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board.
