Title
Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project, 501 5th Ave SW PRKG, 26-4636
Report
Project Information:
The overall Project purpose is to restore estuarine and salt marsh habitat in the historic Deschutes Estuary (present-day Capitol Lake) as the long-term management approach for this waterbody. Estuary restoration is being implemented as the long-term management approach because it is the most environmentally and economically sustainable approach compared to all other options considered during an extensive environmental review process. Estuary restoration is intended to manage existing sediment accumulation and future deposition, improve water quality, restore ecological functions, and enhance community use. This would make a meaningful impact to ecological conditions and community association with this place, along the shoreline of downtown Olympia.
Achieving the Project purpose includes implementing other modifications in the Project Area that are needed to retain existing public infrastructure (transportation corridors, stormwater drainage, and utilities); address existing flooding and increase sea level rise resiliency consistent with the Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan; and avoid significant impacts from sedimentation to downstream marinas and the Port of Olympia. Addressing the existing environmental conditions in the waterbody will restore and enhance community use of the resource. Public access and recreation elements are
important to the overall restoration strategy because of their role in reestablishing active community use of the waterbody.
Applicant:
Madeline Remmen, 601 Union St Suite 600, Seattle WA 98101
Staff Contact:
Jackson Ewing, Senior Planner, 360.570.3776