Sequalitchew Creek WatershedA Natural History Worth Saving

Sequalitchew Creek Watershed Purpose:

To restore and preserve the ecological functions of the creek through habitat

improvement and flow restoration.

Partner with citizens and regional stakeholders to enhance the watershed and

all that’s within it.

Have You Heard of Sequalitchew?Have You Heard of Sequalitchew?

• Sequalitchew Creek’s natural, historic flow runs from Sequalitchew Lake at Fort Lewis, through Edmonds Marsh, then out to the Puget Sound.

• The areas unparalleled natural beauty can be traversed on an old narrow gauge railway roadbed that ran from the DuPont Company area to Puget Sound.

Sequalitchew

Vitality of SequalitchewVitality of Sequalitchew

• Once home to salmon that feed the Sequalitchew & Nisqually Tribes…

• The creek corridor is now used by hundreds of species, including eagles, hawks, song birds, herons, ducks, owls, frogs, salamanders, snakes, beaver, raccoons, coyotes, deer, and rabbits.

Grebe eggs floating in Sequalitchew

History of Sequalitchew Creek Watershed History of Sequalitchew Creek Watershed CouncilCouncil

• The Council was originally formed in 1995 to improve creek habitat, increase water flow and salmon restoration.

• Fix the creek bank slides to prevent erosion in the canyon.

• Add large woody debris to creek pools• Establish a remote in-stream incubator location

for chum eggs.• Modify the diversion structure in the creek at

North Fort Lewis to restore flow into the creek.

The beauty of Sequalitchew creek

Our Watershed is worth restoring…Our Watershed is worth restoring…

• The 1994 Settlement Agreement was crafted to protect and restore the natural flow of Sequalitchew and surrounding water table.

• DuPont’s Land Use Code (DMC) was put in place to protect wetlands, hillsides and streams. Read DMC Chapter 25.105 to learn more.

Great Horned Owl Mom @ Sequalitchew And her baby

Our water supply is threatened…Our water supply is threatened…

• Dewatering Vashon Aquifer will result in lowering the groundwater table throughout the American Lake/Sequalitchew Creek watershed.

• This means losing water we need in the future.• The result: widespread, adverse environmental

impacts, causing significant & permanent damage to our water supply.

Blue Heron in Sequalitchew Sequalitchew in bloom

Blue Heron in Sequalitchew Sequalitchew in bloom

Current Efforts

• Sequalitchew Creed Council was reborn and adapted scope and new name

• Formed a Washington 501(c)(3)• Strengthening partnerships• Active in grant writing to fund projects• Educating citizens and mobilizing them as stewards• Adopting the Canyon Trail• Removal of garbage and invasive plants• Developing Strategic Plan

Future EffortsFuture Efforts

• Create educational opportunities and materials for schools

• Increate water flow through a coordinated effort.• Keep citizens aware of environmental issues effecting

the creek.• Coordinate with shoreline management plan review

process.• Advocate with parks and recreation master plan

recommendations• Participate in National Trails Day

What Can You Do?What Can You Do?

• ATTEND upcoming meetings to show your support to preserve and protect the creek. Check our Web site for updates.

• WORK with and join with Sequalitchew Creek Watershed Council as they begin improving the condition of the creek: http://saveourcreek.info

• EDUCATE  yourself and peers on the issue. Read the staff report, Glacier’s latest feasibility study at www.ci.dupont.wa.us

• EXPERIENCE  for yourself. Walk through Edmonds Marsh and down Sequalitchew Creek Canyon. Stop, look & listen

Sequalitchew Beach

Sequalitchew Creek Watershed Council

http://saveourcreek.info© 2010 Sequalitchew Creek Watershed Council

Steve Wyant, photographer, all rights reserved, © 2010