This project began in 2012 with the intention of Identifying potential aquatic resource mitigation sites throughout Southeast Alaska Starting in Haines, SAWC spent several months researching potential mitigation sites in the region. The beginning stage of this project entailed a steep learning curve in order to identify sites that meet the criteria necessary for mitigation purposes. Research involved in this site selection process was mostly completed in the office before visiting the site, by way of compiling and analyzing high resolution satellite imagery of the area. This imagery was viewed in both ArcGIS as well as Google Earth in order to overlay specific features such as the shapefile for anadromous fish streams, which provides a more in depth picture of a specific area. Haines, Skagway and Juneau are the first…
On September 17th, Melany traveled to Juneau and met with John Hudson from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct site assessments for as many as 12 potential mitigation sites. It was extremely informative and productive. I quickly learned how tedious it can be to view each site from the perspective of a habitat biologist, fisheries biologist and ecologist, which are all important scopes in identifying potential mitigation projects. Check out an example of the Project Report from one of the sites we identified at Fish Creek on North Douglas Island: Fish Creek-West Pond Enhancement This was an excellent example of a site that needs enhancement to improve fish habitat. Google Earth image of West Pond site West pond has very steep side banks that would benefit from a…
Southeast Alaska Region Scoping Discussion, Wetland Mitigation: Policies, Frameworks, Opportunities October 21st, Juneau Alaska [two_columns ] In response to the challenges - that SAWC has come up against in trying to develop a third party mitigation program (In-Lieu Fee) that provides mitigation opportunities in the form of restoration and enhancement - we made the decision to host a meeting that provided the opportunity for agency staffers, community based watershed management groups, non-profits, and a wide spectrum of natural resource professionals to engage, learn and consider ways we can move forward as a region to develop appropriate wetland and aquatic resources management strategies that support fair, equitable and credible mitigation. With the support of NFF, USFWS and TU we were able to bring together a diverse panel of Pacific Northwest professionals…
