Photo By Kimberly Lopes | Crews from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, measure the velocity of...... read more read more
Emergency repairs to the McGlinn Island Jetty, near La Conner, Washington, are underway led by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District. Repairs come after an April 13 discovery by biologists of dead and injured juvenile fish during a site visit to evaluate long-term maintenance to the more than 80-year-old jetty.
"Days after the initial discovery, we assembled a crisis action team to work closely with the Swinomish Tribe, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop an effective short-term solution to protect juvenile fish,” said Colonel Alexander “Xander” Bullock, Seattle District commander. “We identified appropriate funding and awarded a contract to implement the solution within weeks of the first observation of concern. This solution will minimize harm to Endangered Species Act-listed fish during the coming fish run. Protecting the viability of juvenile salmon is of paramount concern.”
The crews arrived on site May 22 to start repairs. The work will reduce flow velocities through the jetty that are negatively impacting spring outbound salmonid runs. Biologists concluded the water velocity through the porous jetty structure is pushing juvenile fish through causing them to impact the structure resulting in severe injury. USACE will also address areas where juvenile fish are being stranded in tidal ponds.
The construction activities will occur seven days a week during daylight hours through June 9. Major activities will include delivery of fill material to a staging area, transfer of fill material to the jetty, construction activities on the jetty, and associated fish and environmental monitoring by USACE in coordination with tribal and other federal and state agencies.
The jetty is one feature of the Swinomish Federal Navigation Channel. The Swinomish Channel Federal Navigation Project, first authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1892 and amended by subsequent acts, provides safe passage to commercial, recreational, and tribal marine vessels transiting between Skagit Bay to the south and Padilla Bay to the north.
The jetty system extends east from Goat Island and connects with McGlinn Island. The repairs are focused on the section of the jetty closest to McGlinn Island.
Construction activity on the jetty will only occur during mid-to higher-tides due to jetty access limitations and will involve the seagoing vessel M/V Seahorse, an excavator, and other equipment. Fill material for the jetty repair will be stockpiled and transferred to the M/V Seahorse vessel for transport to the jetty. The goal is to place up to 8,500 cubic yards of graded fill material on the Skagit River side of the jetty to reduce flow velocities through the jetty.
Impacts to local marine vessel traffic are expected to be minor. There may be some increased frequency of transiting vessels in the Swinomish Channel, particularly in the south end closest to the construction area.
Fishers and recreational boaters should remain at least 300 feet away from the construction work area on the jetty. Some truck traffic to the staging area is expected for the duration of the project. A U.S. Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners covering the construction period and waterway restrictions will be in force.
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| Date Taken: | 05.22.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2023 17:05 |
| Story ID: | 445191 |
| Location: | SEATTLE , WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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