Heads up, eco-conscious New Yorkers and wildlife enthusiasts! The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is throwing open the doors for a public open house on May 4, inviting everyone to get the scoop on the Duckabush Estuary Restoration Project. The gathering spot is the Brinnon Community Center, where from 10 a.m. to noon, locals can drill experts from multiple agencies on the estuary’s future.
The big plan is to bridge the gap between the Duckabush River and its adjacent wetlands by giving U.S. 101 an uplift – literally. They're plotting to hoist the highway onto a bridge spanning the estuary, reconnecting old tidal and river pathways that have been out of whack for ages. According to a news release from WDFW, this is no small operation; it's a crucial maneuver for the Hood Canal summer chum salmon, a fish in a bit of hot water under the Endangered Species Act.
This environmental facelift isn't just a one-agency show. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) are all tossing their hats into the ring. The end goal is to breathe life back into the estuary's ecosystems, providing fish and wildlife with new digs to flourish. It's a ticking clock though – the final designs aren't slated to hit the drafting table until late 2025, and the heavy lifting won't start until the piggy bank's full.
Aside from playing fairy godmother to fish, the project promises perks for people too. Think cleaner water, less flood drama and a shiny new parking lot to stash your ride while you play tourist in your own backyard. If that's not enough to rev your engine, WSDOT plans to roll out a modernized highway design complete with a new intersection and safety upgrades. It's tidbits like these that round out the vision of protecting the state's precious land and water reserves for all its inhabitants – from jumping salmon to eager birdwatchers.
Want to dig deeper into the nitty-gritty of this ambitious project? Park yourself at wdfw.wa.gov/duckabush for all the updates you can handle, and scope out pictures and videos on the transportation action at www.wsdot.wa.gov/news. And if you've ever wondered how regional groups pitch in to plump up Pacific Northwest salmon numbers, check out the work the HCSEG does throughout the Hood Canal Watershed at hcseg.org. Join the fray and learn first-hand how these organizations aim to hook a better future for the wildlife – and for us.
