Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve Shoreline Restoration 

Overview 

Pierce Conservation District (PCD) is partnering with PenMet Parks to envision a shoreline 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, while improving beach access for recreation.


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 and WDFW's Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program. We hosted two community meetings during 2021 to engage Fox Island and district residents and target user groups. Using feedback from these communities meetings, as well as extensive site assessments by qualified coastal engineers, we produced three concepual design options in 2021. In 2022, PenMet Parks staff and leadership selected a concept to develop into a preliminary design, which PCD consultants expect complete by June 2023. 

Project Status

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

During 2020, PCD secured funding from the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District (PCFCZD) to complete Phase 1, which produced conceptual design options by the end of 2021. PCD 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 considered 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 Preparation for Permitting

In July 2021, PCD secured funding from the WDFW Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) develop the preferred concept into 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:

Date to be determined - 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

  1. Mary Krauszer

    Shorelines Program Manager
    maryk@piercecd.org
    Phone: (253) 358-0088