Clear Creek Estuary Restoration: Establishing an Ecological Monitoring Program and Baseline Conditions

Monitoring habitat conditions in the Clear Creek Estuary before the completion of the Bucklin Hill Bridge Project is a critical part of this ecosystem restoration planning and execution. The Clear Creek Trail Alliance (CCTA) is working with local partners to monitor the effects of the estuary restoration. In a wider effort to characterize salmonid habitat suitability of the estuary prior to the bridge replacement, CCTA would like to gather data related to water quality, beach/bank elevations, vegetation in the vicinity, and invertebrate diversity in the estuary. The development and implementation of this Clear Creek Estuary monitoring project provides an opportunity for students and local citizens to expand their knowledge of salmon habitat needs and learn about the benefits to salmon afforded through estuary restorations. These reliable, verifiable, and accurate data will be contributed to the State’s Marine Water Quality Monitoring Program plus shared with citizens of Kitsap County and other parties interested in gaining knowledge concerning the effectiveness of the restoration project. Comparison of data collected prior to and then following construction will aid in understanding the successful restoration features of the project and assist in determining if adaptations are needed in the ongoing management of this revitalized ecosystem.