The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has officially completed a significant estuary restoration project on Milltown Island, as part of a collaborative effort to enhance habitat for an array of fish and wildlife. The initiative, which encompasses 200 acres, is said to directly benefit Chinook salmon by creating a nurturing environment for juvenile fish as they transition from freshwater to the saltier waters of Whidbey Basin and Puget Sound. The project also aims to provide improved outdoor recreation opportunities for locals, such as hunting and kayaking.
According to a statement obtained by Medium, this landmark restoration includes the lowering of dikes and levees, excavation of tidal channels, headwater ponds, and construction of raised mounds and low-angle watercraft landing sites. "The construction elements were designed to provide habitat primarily for salmon and other fish, but we also built tidal headwaters with shallow water areas for waterfowl and wading birds," explained WDFW project manager Jenny Baker.
Funding streams for the Milltown Island Restoration Project were diverse, involving contributions from WDFW and Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NOAA Restoration Center among others. The eradication of dikes will allow the landscape to slowly increase in elevation with the deposit of sediment during floods, which may help it to keep pace in the face of sea-level rise. This element underscores the wider narrative of environmental restoration intersecting with climate adaptation.
The collaborative dimension of this project saw input from various stakeholders, including local tribes and conservation groups. Mike Lemoine, SRSC Director of Research and Recovery, told Medium, "Pre-restoration data suggested fish were having a hard time getting to the interior channels and I am hopeful that fish can now take advantage of more area." The restoration work isn’t yet finished, with further planting slated to roll out during specific months until 2027, which will include outreach to inform hunters of the ongoing activities.
Added amenities like new boat landings will render access to larger portions of the island, boosting the enjoyment of activities such as bird watching and hunting, once the plant life returns. Rick Billieu, Northwest Chapter Chairperson of Washington Waterfowl Association, commented on the restoration's impact on hunting, saying that "Once the plant life returns, hunting opportunities should be greater than before restoration," according to Medium.
Visitors to Milltown Island are advised to move with caution due to the recent habitat project, which has resulted in softened surfaces and potential hazards, especially during high water events. WDFW has advised that the site's conditions will evolve as the natural processes continue post-restoration.
For those looking to witness firsthand the benefits of the restoration project, details on accessing the now more resilient Milltown Island and other estuary restoration endeavors on WDFW-managed lands can be found on the WDFW website.
