Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve Shoreline Restoration 

Overview 

Pierce Conservation District (PCD) proposes to complete a restoration project at the Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve on Fox Island. 

 

This project would address up to 600 feet of failing bulkhead on the beach using methods that will benefit public shoreline access, as well as the health of Puget Sound. Removal of this failing shoreline armor would reconnect marine riparian vegetation and restore sediment processes that support the sandspit. This restoration would enhance habitat for critical species including forage fish, Puget Sound Chinook, and eelgrass beds. 


Project Approach

As a public preserve with residential neighbors, this project requires a comprehensive planning process that carefully considers site feasibility and engages project stakeholders to develop, evaluate, and select project alternatives. 

 

To support the planning processes, PCD secured funding from the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District. We will host three community meetings during 2021 to engage Fox Island and district residents and target user groups. These community meetings will inform attendees of the restoration goals for the project and allow us to both communicate the project specifics and collect pubic feedback. 

Project Status

Phase 1: Feasibility Study, Conceptual Design Options, Community Meetings and Stakeholder Engagement – 

As of January 2021, PCD has secured funding from the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District (PCFCZD) to complete Phase 1, which will yield a conceptual design by the end of 2021. PCD has contracted with Blue Coast Engineering to prepare a feasibility study and alternatives analysis to develop conceptual design options with the input from the public and stakeholders. Conceptual designs will consider site conditions, including 1) adjacent residential armor, 2) public uses of the Preserve, and 3) site geology, ecology, and sediment processes impacting the shoreline. 

Phase 2: Preliminary Design and begin Permitting

As of July 2021, PCD has secured funding from the WDFW Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) to complete Phase 2, which will yield a preliminary design by June 2023. 

Deliverables 

Community Meeting 1: April 21, 2021 6:00-7:30 pm [View the presentation slides or a recording of the meeting.]

We welcome your input! Fill out our survey to help us understand how you use the preserve give your input on the project.

Community Meeting 2: Restoration Concepts

Monday, July 19th, 2021, 6:00-7:30 pm [View presentation slides or a recording of the meeting.]

We want your input! Fill out our survey to give us your opinions on the restoration concepts or provide other feedback. 

Upcoming Community Meetings:

Tentatively Winter 2021/Spring 2022 - Presentation of Selected Conceptual Design and Preliminary Design 

Sign up to receive updates on this restoration study, including community meeting announcements here. 

Org Chart_DeMolayRestorationProject

Project Contact


Mary Krauszer

Pierce Conservation District

Shorelines Program Manager

maryk@piercecd.org 

(253) 845-9770 x113