Accomplishments

Three years ago, the Nature Conservancy, People for Puget Sound and Trust for Public Land joined efforts to protect and restore the shorelines of Puget Sound. We are proud to report significant progress towards our goals! Some of our highlighted accomplishments include:

• Completion of eight shoreline acquisitions for a total of eight new shoreline parks and natural areas. These acquisitions comprise more than 625 acres of Puget Sound waterfront property with nearly 4 miles of shoreline. The Alliance is positioned to acquire two additional waterfront parks and natural areas by the end of 2009 when the awarded federal and state grant funding becomes available. These two remaining acquisitions will provide an additional 362 acres and more than 2.75 additional miles of protected shoreline. The ten new shoreline parks and open spaces are spread throughout the Puget Sound region in eight different counties Click here to view Acquisitions Map.
  
  
• 54 miles of shoreline improved for natural processes and wildlife habitat. The Alliance completed restoration of 54 miles of shoreline, has an additional 55 miles of restoration actions underway and more than 62 miles of additional projects identified (Click here to view Restorations Map). Restoration actions have included habitat enhancement for native species, removal of physical structures affecting tidal and sediment flow (dikes, bulkheads, levees, piers, docks and shoreline armoring), re-vegetation of marine riparian and salt marsh habitat, re-connection of uplands with the nearshore through culvert and road removal, invasive species control and removal of toxic creosote debris.
  
  
• Secured enhanced policy protection for 1,127 miles of shoreline through more stringent regulation. This comprises more than half of the marine shorelines in the greater Puget Sound region! Through our collaborative efforts, we have established the Alliance as a well-respected and powerful voice for bold policy changes to protect and restore Puget Sound shorelines. We have earned a seat at the table in developing policy for stormwater, oil spill prevention and how to finance recovery of Puget Sound. In addition, the Alliance is proposing that the aquatic lands surrounding Protection Island and Smith/Minor Islands become aquatic reserves. These islands and their surrounding waters are probably the most important places in Puget Sound for breeding seabirds and marine mammals. If adopted these proposal would ensure greater protection and recovery of important native aquatic plants and animals. Click here to view Enhanced Policies Map.
  
  
• Helped secure millions of dollars in public funding for shoreline protection and restoration programs, and fostered enduring public partnerships to advance the conservation of Puget Sound’s shorelines. Specifically we:
  • Collaborated with the Puget Sound Partnership to advance and support over $50 million in requests to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to implement nearshore restoration projects.
  • Worked with Congress, the state legislature, partners and agencies to secure over $20.3 million in public funds for priority projects, including Alliance acquisition projects and $5.8 million for restoration priorities.
  • Helped secure a total of more than $83 million in capital funding for Puget Sound protection and restoration projects. This funding will go to projects through the Estuarine and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP), Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration (PSAR) program, Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB), Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP).
  • Worked with a coalition of partners to support Congressional reauthorization of the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) that funds the protection of important coastal sites and shoreline access parks.