Category Overview
Conserving land along our waterways protects important habitat and helps keep our rivers healthy, clean, and more resilient to drought. Riparian Protection projects conserve and restore fresh and saltwater habitat while protecting fish habitat. In doing so, the grants help provide our families, farms, and fisheries with clean water across the state.
Project Highlights
RCO Final Report – Grant #18-1899 – Saltese Flats Wetland Protection and Restoration March 21, 2024 Prepared and submitted by Chris Bonsignore, Ducks Unlimited. FINAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION The completed Saltese Flats Wetland Protection and Restoration Project is providing valuable benefits that include preservation and restoration of emergent wetlands and riparian areas, expansion of habitat for wetland-dependent Priority Wildlife Species in a rapidly urbanizing area, improved late-season flows from the Mica Peak watershed to the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer and expansion of recreational and educational opportunities in a natural setting. The primary focus of this project was to strategically protect two properties in the Saltese Flats and subsequently restore ecological and hydrological function at each to support the previously stated environmental outcomes. For many years prior to completion of this project, the Saltese Flats (Flats) was recognized as a rare opportunity for large-scale wetland protection and restoration in Spokane County. Earlier attempts by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other conservation partners to conserve the area were unsuccessful. From 2011 to 2014, Spokane County Environmental Services (SCES) purchased approximately 580 acres in this historical marsh that once spanned nearly 1,200 acres. The county originally envisioned the property as a potential storage site for treated wastewater. However, that need has not materialized, to date. In 2015, Ducks Unlimited (DU) and SCES acquired the 60-acre Pettit Tract from a willing seller adding to the County’s landholdings in the Flats. In 2018, DU, SCES, Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (INLC) and other partners endeavored to acquire two additional parcels (VRL Tract and Naccarato Conservation Easement) and complete restoration on two parcels (Pettit Tract and Naccarato Conservation Easement). This work would complement and directly support similar restoration efforts being undertaken by SCES on the West Central Tract and adjacent county property. Specific details of the work completed through this grant are provided below. Acquisition Pettit Tract: Ducks Unlimited and Spokane County acquired 60 acres in fee simple from a private landowner in 2015. Acquisition funds were provided through a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant to DU who completed negotiations with the landowner and due diligence. Spokane County is the title holder and secured a Waiver with RCO to use this as a match acquisition for the WWRP grant. VRL Tract: Spokane County made multiple attempts to purchase this 14-acre tract but were unsuccessful due to the unwillingness of the owner to negotiate a sale. RCO removed this tract from the project. Naccarato Conservation Easement: In 2016, Ducks Unlimited initiated a dialogue with Mr. Naccarato regarding purchase of a conservation easement and habitat restoration on 52 acres of his property in the Flats. Preliminary restoration planning and further discussions about a conservation easement followed. In 2018, conceptual restoration plans were formalized and a commitment from Mr. Naccarato to grant a conservation easement was secured. Shortly thereafter, Ducks Unlimited enlisted the INLC to secure and steward the easement. INLC worked with Mr. Naccarato, RCO and DU to complete all required due diligence and on April 20, 2022, the conservation easement, an access easement, and the assignment of rights for the Naccarato property were recorded. Restoration West Central Tract – SCES restored 75.3 acres of emergent wetlands and 4.0 acres of riparian habitat on this property. Wetland restoration included redirecting surface water flows into historical lakebed wetlands, creating a large wetland depression through excavation to promote a diversity of water depths and wetland types, and planting a mix of native wet meadow grass species. Riparian habitat was restored through control of invasive reed canary grass followed by planting of 650 stems of native shrubs and trees. Protection from rodent and large ungulate damage was ensured through installation of rodent tubes and fenced enclosures. An important component of establishing and maintaining the wet meadow vegetation community on this tract is annual cutting and removal of non-native reed canary grass from this area. This activity eliminates the standing biomass of reed canary grass which persists at the site, greatly reducing shading and competition with the desirable native species. Work is completed in late July to early August, after the bird nesting season has ended. The resulting short grass habitat provides superior foraging opportunities for waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, deer, and elk, all of which use the site regularly. The results of this activity are assessed annually by SCES to determine whether continuation is beneficial to the desired vegetation community and dependent wildlife species. Pettit Tract – This project element included restoration of 54.3 acres of emergent wetlands and 3.8 acres of riparian habitat. The work included excavation of 3 shallow wetland depressions, replacement of a dilapidated water control structure that allows flooding of the site, creating a new flow channel to redirect surface flows to historical wetland areas and depressions and planting native grasses, shrubs and trees. Restoration planning, design, and implementation was completed by DU in coordination with SCES. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provided in kind personnel for securing most of the required regulatory permits, plant and fencing materials for riparian restoration and funding for invasive species control and site preparation. Naccarato Conservation Easement- All restoration work was completed within the footprint of the conservation easement and resulted in restoration of 49.2 acres of emergent wetlands and 3.1 acres of riparian habitat. Activities included excavation of 3 shallow wetland depressions, control of invasive species and planting native grasses, shrubs and trees. Restoration planning, design, and implementation was completed by DU in coordination with the landowner. The FWS provided in kind personnel for securing most of the required permits as well as providing plant and fencing materials for riparian restoration. A species list of trees, shrubs and grasses planted at restoration sites is provided in the table below. Riparian and wet meadow species planted at restoration sites: Trees Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp.trichocarpa) Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Thin Leaf Alder (Alnus incana) Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) Water Birch (Betula papyrifera) Western Redcedar (Thuja plicata) Shrubs Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii) Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus Sericea, C. stolonifera) Blue Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) Golden Currant (Ribes aureum) Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana) Wood’s Rose (Rosa woodsii) Serviceberry (Amelanchier Alnifolia) Geyer Willow (Salix geyeriana) Scouler’s Willow (Salix scouleriana) Bebb’s Willow (Salix bebbiana) Sitka Willow (Salix sitchensis) Peachleaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides) MacKenzie Willow (Salix prolixa, S rigida Mackenzieana) Grass species: Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia ceaspitosa) Slender Hairgrass (Deschampsia elongata) Spike Bentgrass (Agrostis exarata) Meadow Barley (Hordeum brachyantherum) Timothy (Phleum pratense) Basin Wildrye (Leymus cinereus) Wildlife Benefits A large diversity of wildlife species is benefitting from restored wetland and riparian habitats, including Priority Species such as tundra swan, waterfowl concentrations, great blue heron, western toad, and white-tailed deer. According to eBird, 201 species of birds have been observed at Saltese Flats, placing it as one of the top hotspots for bird diversity in this part of the state. Other notable wildlife observations in the project area are the increased presence of Rocky Mountain elk using the flats and less frequently, moose. Aquifer recharge In its previously drained state, the Flats provided limited storage for local surface water runoff and stream flows in the watershed. Flows were largely confined to the system of ditches constructed to maintain the site for agriculture, which terminated at Shelley Lake, a high infiltration site over the aquifer. Restored wetlands are now capturing surface water throughout the fall, winter and spring, slowing the release of stored water to the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer and Spokane River. While extremely difficult to measure, a potential result of the project is enhancement of late season flows in Saltese Creek below the Flats and recharge of the SVRP aquifer. Ultimately, this should support cool water refugia for native redband trout and other aquatic organisms in the Spokane River during the heat of summer. Recreation & Education A state-of-the-art learning center and associated trail system with interpretative signage provide a compelling educational experience for local school children and the community at large. The expanded wildlife viewing opportunities, hiking and biking trails and natural setting all near the urban center have made the site a favorite destination in the region.