Response from the Nisqually Refuge:
Hi Mark,
Thank you for taking the time to write and pass on your concerns regarding
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. The restoration of the Nisqually
estuary is based on a management plan and Environmental Impact Statement
that was developed after 8 years of planning and public participation.
That plan was completed in late 2004 and is the Nisqually NWR Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) that guides management of the Refuge
for the next 15 years. The plan and the accompanying EIS is available
online, but I'd also be happy to send you a CD if you are interested. The
link to the plan online is
http://www.fws.gov/pacific/planning/main/docs/WA/docsnisqually.htmAs part of the planning process, a thorough analysis was done on the
effects of restoring the estuary. Restoring 762 acres of the Nisqually
estuary after an absence of more than 100 years is considered an important
step in the recovery of Puget Sound, will increase estuary habitat in south
Puget Sound by more than 50%, and is a top priority to recover Chinook
salmon in the watershed. Many fish and wildlife will benefit. In our
analysis of waterfowl use on the Refuge as part of our planning process, we
documented that 90% of wigeon were found in estuary habitat over 16 years
of surveying, with the remaining 10% in diked freshwater areas. Estuary
dependent birds of many kinds, including shorebirds, seabirds, wading
birds,and many waterfowl species will benefit from the substantial
enlargement of the estuary.
The removal of most of the Brown Farm Dike in order that the estuary could
be restored had a large impact to public use, since it removed the popular
Brown Farm Dike Trail. We receive more than 160,000 visitors annually, the
majority of whom use Refuge trails. The establishment of a new boardwalk
in the location where it is being constructed was included in the planning
process as part of the preferred alternative. As you can see, it is a big
project so it was not possible to construct it within a short window of
time. Although we started as early as possible (April 1), we were aware
that the amount of construction required would need to go into the fall to
complete the boardwalk in one season. Design changes and the addition of
five bridges to accommodate the changing estuary added some construction
time. However, the construction is going very well and they should be done
with construction well before the end of waterfowl hunt season, as we
expect it to be completed in early to mid-December. We recognize that the
noise and activity associated with boardwalk construction has some impact
in the immediate area of the boardwalk, especially in the focused area
where they are working, which has moved gradually down the boardwalk length
to the end, where they are working now. Your patience is appreciated while
this important project is completed. Completion of the boardwalk is
eagerly anticipated by many Refuge visitors. The first section of the
boardwalk will be open upon its completion, but the majority of the
boardwalk will remain closed to public access until the end of the hunt
season, similar to the closure on the old Dike Trail.
As part of the CCP, we included the improvement of 250 acres of freshwater
wetlands that remain within the new exterior dike. Extensive construction
that was completed this fall includes new water control structures to
provide improved water management, the creation of manageable units so
water can be raised and lowered to allow better control of invasive plants,
and the extensive enlargement of the seasonal freshwater wetlands. Those
wetlands are just being flooded up now following completion of that
construction. Over time these wetlands should provide high quality habitat
for waterfowl and other migratory birds. There are many dabbling ducks and
geese using them already. This morning I saw more than 1000 geese fly off
those wetlands, and there are hundreds of pintails, shoveler, blue winged
teal, wigeon, and other species using the wetlands as they flood.
Finally, the CCP also included opening Nisqually NWR to waterfowl hunting,
which occurred this fall. We also installed a new visitor kiosk at Luhr
Beach to provide improved information to fishermen, hunters, and boaters
that launch at Luhr Beach.
Thanks again for writing. We appreciate your interest in Nisqually NWR,
Jean
Jean Takekawa
Nisqually NWR
