Restoration of Tribal Wetlands in the Pacific Northwest

Wetland restoration extends beyond improving salmon habitat. It restores a community’s traditions and values.

Wetlands provide a wealth of cultural benefits including recreation, scientific studies, education, and aesthetic values. In addition, tourism, fisheries, and other commercial activities thrive on the wealth of natural resources that wetlands supply. The following two examples demonstrate how wetlands are valued by tribal communities.

Restoring Nalley Island
Prior to the 1930s Nalley Island, Washington, was a productive estuary with miles of branching tidal channels. Dikes and ditches were constructed to prevent tidal and river flows that permanently drained the area. The confined river flow prevented aquatic species and salmon from accessing the wetlands where fish rear. Salmon are a part of Native American spiritual and cultural identity. Salmon support religious ceremonies held by Pacific Northwest Indian Tribes and are a vital part of Tribal economies. Salmon also support the greater Pacific Northwest economy. Endangered Species Act-listed salmon and other fish in the Skokomish Watershed are expected to benefit from the 214-acre restored habitat (Skokomish Estuary Restoration, 2011).

Restoring the Elwha River Floodplain
The Elwha River Floodplain Restoration project in Washington is a series of restoration actions to improve the habitat conditions of more than 80 acres within the lower Elwha River (NOAA Restoration Atlas, 2011). This project will benefit Puget Sound Chinook salmon and Puget Sound Steelhead, both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Salmon in Elwha Culture: Salmon was the most important part of the Tribe’s traditional diet, and the Tribe had great respect for the salmon. The Tribe often celebrated important salmon events (First Salmon Ceremony). They also had traditional teachings for catching, preparing, and eating salmon (Elwha Watershed Information Resource, 2011)

NOAA Restoration Atlas

The NOAA Restoration Center has developed a Restoration Atlas demonstrating the more than 2,000 projects nationwide. They range from wetlands and salt marsh to oyster reefs and coral reefs. NOAA has awarded funding for 23 projects that benefit more than 130,000 acres of wetlands and have construction budgets totaling nearly $204 million. (NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation, 2011).

For more information:

NOAA Regional Habitat Restoration

NOAA Wetlands Habitat Protection