Middle Waterway (City)
Estuarine Resources Restoration

Project Summary Middle Waterway Estuarine Restoration site (G. Siani, NOAA, 2001) Completed in 2000. As part of the settlement with the City of Tacoma, the City developed an estuarine shoreline wetland restoration project on the Middle Waterway within the City of Tacoma and Commencement Bay. Excavation and re-grading of the 1.85-acre vacant upland property, located adjacent to and within the southwest shore of the Waterway, created an intertidal marsh and riparian buffer bordering one of the few remaining original mudflats within Commencement Bay. The project has created new habitat, enhanced existing habitat, provided buffers for both the new and existing habitat, and provided public access for education and passive recreation. The project goal was to establish estuarine marsh habitat for an assemblage of wetland dependent marine, bird and plant species. The project is across the head of Middle Waterway from and complements the Middle Waterway Shoreline Restoration Project developed earlier by Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co. in cooperation with the Trustees. Restoration Activities The City of Tacoma developed an estuarine shoreline wetland restoration project on the Middle Waterway to establish estuarine marsh habitat for an assemblage of wetland dependent marine, bird and plant species. The project is across the head of Middle Waterway from and complements the Middle Waterway Shoreline Restoration Project developed earlier by Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company in cooperation with the Trustees. Construction of the project was completed in October 2000. The Trustees, along with the City of Tacoma and the Port of Tacoma, hosted a dedication celebration on Wednesday, October 11, 2000, at the Middle Waterway NRDA Restoration Project. Several other NRDA restoration projects were also recognized: the Yowkwala, Skookum Wulge, Squally Beach, and Mowitch restoration projects. Handouts included an agenda and several fact sheets about NRDA activities in Commencement Bay. Activities in 2001 included the installation of the educational sign and the availability of the Year 0 monitoring report. The City of Tacoma continues to monitor the site and perform stewardship activities. FUNDING The City of Tacoma funded this project under the settlement. DRIVING DIRECTIONS This project is located at E 11th St. and F St. and is adjacent to the Middle Waterway Shore Restoration project. Take I-5 to the Portland Avenue exit. At the light at the bottom of the ramp, turn right onto Portland Avenue. Continue on Portland Ave. and turn right onto E 11th St. Follow E. 11th St. until you get to F St. The project is on the right, on the waterway side of the parking lot. RELATED DOCUMENTS Consent Decree and attached project plan: Middle Waterway Estuarine Natural Resources Restoration Project Concept Plan/Sampling and Analysis Plan. Appendix A to Consent Decree. 03/97. (4075 KB) Appendix A-cont. (1523 KB) Middle WW file continued; and Appendices F-I. (2550 KB) Public and environmental documents: Fact Sheet. 02/98. Biological Assessment. 06/99. Aquatic Reserves: Withdrawal from leasing orders. 05/10/04. Environmental Assessment. 06/00. Monitoring plans and reports: Year 0: [1] (1353KB) and [2] (2046KB). 10/01. Year 1: [1] (1277KB) and color: figures/photos (6455KB) and greyscale: figures/photos (2526KB). 03/03. Year 2: text photos in grayscale (optimized). 08/04. Year 3:text photos in grayscale (optimized). 10/04. Final Habitat Monitoring Report. Dec. 2005. Narrative Appendix A, Photos Photos-cont, Appendix B, Additional photos Appendix C, A Study of Intertidal-Wetland Restoration in Puget Sound Project-Specific Monitoring Plan See Baywide Monitoring Program. Photos October 11, 2000 - Dedication Event photos