Peter Hummel, ASLA, Anchor Environmental Living with the Nearshore: Beaches, Seawalls and What lies in Between Presented to Prepared by May 13, 2005 University of Washington Department of Landscape Architecture

Presentation Overview Understanding the Nearshore Blending Human Uses with Habitat Nearshore Project Examples Summary-Key Questions Questions and Discussion

Understanding the Nearshore What is the Nearshore Nearshore Physical Processes Ecological Functions of the Nearshore Location in the Landscape Habitat Modifications and Effects

Source: King County Department of Natural Resources Understanding the Nearshore

Nearshore Physical Processes Source:

Understanding Waves Source:

Sediment Supply Drift cell based Sediment supply potential none ● high low ● exceptional moderate Sediment supply connectivity none ● moderate low ● high

Sediment Supply Analysis

Essential Functions of Nearshore for Juvenile Salmon Food Production Predator Refuge Physiological Refuge High-energy Refuge Migratory Corridor

Ecological Functions of Nearshore Habitats Food Resources Predator Refuge Physiol. Refuge Energy Refuge Migration Corridor Beneficial Habitat Parameters Embayment++ Forage Fish Distributions + Eelgrass+++ Proximity to Salmon Trib. +++ Emergent Marsh+++ Riparian Overhang + Intertidal Vegetation +++ Extended Segment * Importance in habitat-forming processes Habitat Type/ Sediment Sup. Unquantified importance / importance in habitat-forming processes Notes: * This attribute only applied for shoreline segments identified as having exceptional or high sediment supply potential Yellow textHabitat parameters that receive a weighting factor

Landscape Position: South Sound

Landscape Position: Seattle

Source: Williams and Thom (2001) Impacts Controlling Factors Habitat Structures Habitat Processes Juvenile Salmonid Needs  Shoreline modifications  Pollution  Depth  Substrate  Slope  Light  Salinity  Vegetation  Vegetation density  Vegetation biomass  Diversity  Patch size and shape  Landscape position  Production  Shading  Sediment flux  Nutrient flux  Food production  Predator Refuge  Physiological Refuge  Energy Refuge  Migratory Corridor Nearshore Habitat Modifications & Effects: Conceptual Model

Blending Human Uses with Habitat Habitat Perspective: How Good and How Altered Human Use Perspective: Existing & Proposed Uses and Facilities Space and Property Lines Cost/Benefits Feasibility: Restoration Versus Enhancement of Specific Ecological Functions

Restoration Prioritization Habitat Opportunities Landscape Considerations Habitat Constraints Habitat Improvement Potential Combined Improvement Potential Restoration Feasibility Reach Restoration Priority No Action- Conserve Site High Priority Medium Priority Low Priority No Action- Use Conflict Site Features Site Location No Action- Conserve Site Park Use Opportunities Park Use Constraints Source: Seattle Parks Shoreline Inventory and Habitat Assessment

Results of Prioritization

How Good and How Altered

Restoration Example: Rainier Beach Lake Park

Rainier Beach Lake Park Restoration Opportunities

Rainier Beach Design Concept

Restoration Example: Martha Washington Park Existing Conditions

Martha Washington Park Restoration Opportunities

Martha Washington Design Concept

Martha Washington Park Construction

Martha Washington Park Completion

Restoration Example: Seahurst Park Microcosm of Puget Sound Shoreline Habitats Habitat Forming Processes Restoration Opportunity Shoreline and Park Master Plan

Shoreline Restoration Goals Preserve existing functioning nearshore habitats Remove existing shoreline protection structures Model restored beach slopes and substrates after natural on-site and adjacent reference beaches Replenish gravel and sand lost to bulkhead induced erosion Restore and protect the natural hillside sediment delivery paths

Station Pre-Construction

Station Construction (Sand/Gravel over Base Gravel)

Station Completed Beach

Lower Beach Rock Removal Mid Project Before Mid Project After

Beach Monitoring Initial Results Beach Profiles: 1973, 2004, 2005 Beach Sediment Sample Source: Johannessen, Coastal Geologic Services, 2005

Required Biological Monitoring Pre-Project Initial Results Forage Fish Monitoring Eelgrass Survey

Desirable Biological Pre-Project Monitoring Initial Results Epibenthic On-Site Sampling Location Comparisons Source: Toft, UW Wetland Ecosystem Team, 2005

Restoration Example: Squalicum Waterway Existing Conditions

Restoration Example: Dickman Mill Park

Restoration Example: Golden Gardens Park

Terracing Example: Sunnyside Beach Park

Terracing Example: Thea Foss Esplanade

Terracing Example: Thea’s Park

Seawall Beach Fill Example: Seacrest Park

Seawall Beach Fill Example: Olympic Sculpture Park

Summary-Key Questions What is the Position of the Site in the Larger Nearshore Landscape? What were the Site’s Historic Conditions and Ecological Functions? Can Habitat Forming Processes be Restored? What are the Spatial Requirements of Existing and Proposed Human Uses and Facilities? What are the Costs/Benefits of Restoration at This Site? What Specific Ecological Functions can the Project Enhance?

Questions and Discussion