Middle Waterway (Simpson)
Shore Habitat Restoration

Project Summary Middle Waterway Shore Restoration (G. Siani, NOAA) Completed in 1996. In the spring of 1995, Champion International Corporation, the former owner of the Simpson Tacoma Kraft Mill, and Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company, its current owner, in cooperation with the Trustees, created the Middle Waterway Shore Restoration Project on a five-acre site owned by Simpson on the northeast bank of the Middle Waterway. The project was developed in connection with a settlement approved in court on April 1, 1996, that resolved Bay-wide claims for natural resource damages against the two companies. Restoration Activities The Middle Waterway project re-establishes over three acres of intertidal, salt marsh, and riparian habitat along the Middle Waterway, a high priority location for restoration in the Bay ecosystem. The waterway had one of the largest remaining areas of original intertidal mudflats in the Bay (about 20 acres). Formerly filled land was excavated and contoured to create a natural shoreline with hummocks and other natural marsh features to increase the complexity, diversity and habitat value of Middle Waterway for shore birds, salmonids and marine fish, river otters and other wildlife in the area. The project provides a partial buffer between the mudflats and adjacent upland industrial uses. Based on the monitoring reports and visual observations of planting performance, along with consultations with the public, contractors, and other technical staff, the Trustees initiated adaptive management procedures that included removing the top two feet of sand from portions of site and replacing it with amended soil, planting more varieties of native vegetation, and anchoring logs at pre-determined locations to prevent erosion and to create a bench environment. These modifications to the project are being monitored for success. Related Documents Fact Sheet. 01/98. Environmental Assessment and FONSIs. 03/21/95. Supplemental Environmental Assessment and FONSI, including ESA/EFH consultation. 03/03/2000. Project-Specific Monitoring Plan Adaptive Management Report. 07/15/03. (3.3MB) Baywide Monitoring Program The Year 1-5 monitoring reports are available for download: Year 1. 01/97. (1914KB) Year 2. 12/97. (2120KB) Year 3. 11/98. (1369KB), Appendix 1 (1390KB) and Appendix 2 (1394KB) Year 4. 04/01. (1929KB) Final- Year 5. 03/02. (1670KB) Adaptive Management Plan. 07/15/03. Photo galleries [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]