1. Request a site visit

Sign up here for a site visit

• If you are unable to complete or need help filling out the form, email Glenn Johnson at GlennJ@piercecd.org or call (253) 325-8914. We will reach out to gather some baseline information and schedule a site visit. 
• If you are emailing, please include the following information:
  • Subject line: Landowner Consultation Form Help
  • Body: Your name, phone number, and the best time/days to call. 

2. Site Visit

Once PCD staff have received and reviewed your site visit request, we will reach out to schedule a site visit. During our site visit, we will address any questions/concerns you may have as we walk the site. Visits typically last about 1 hour, and vary based on the size of the property and the number of items you would like to address. 

After completing the site visit, PCD staff will send you a follow-up email addressing any concerns/questions, options, and other resources for your site. If you are interested in treating knotweed and we have determined you fall within the treatment zone, we will discuss the project as it pertains to your property. 

3. Knotweed Treatment

4. Continued Stewardship

For folks who are located in high priority restoration areas, and would like to take on a more complex riparian restoration project (e.g. replanting treatment areas with native plants, adding wood to create a more complex stream, or altering the course of your current stream) we can begin talking about options.

Pierce Conservation District is a non-regulatory government entity. This means that we cannot fine you for violations and we cannot report you to regulatory agencies. At the conservation district, we are a resource for the local community and our number one goal is help where we can.  

Year 1-3

• Winter/spring: Site visit with PCD staff
• Spring: Knotweed surveys and access pathways to stands will be made.
• Late summer/early fall: 1-2 knotweed treatments

Year 4

• Interview with PCD staff to review the project
• Plant installation for willing and qualifying landowners (those in high priority restoration areas). 

Knotweeds vary slightly in appearance depending on the variety but generally share common characteristics. 

Knotweeds generally have:

• Hollow, non-woody, bamboo-like stems that can easily be bent.
• Alternate leaf patterning
• White flowers that appear in late July
• Reddish stems that turn brown over winter

After winter/spring flooding, knotweed fragments are spread downstream allowing new knotweed plants to establish themselves. Knotweed species rely on vegetative growth as the main method of reproduction. Research has shown that introduced knotweed species rarely reproduce by seed, but the possibility still remains. Hybrid knotweed varieties have begun to take root, and these highly competitive species can reproduce vegetatively and by seed. 

No, the cost for treatment and pre-treatment surveys/prep work will not cost you, the landowner, any money. These activities are covered by the Puget Sound Riparian Systems Lead grant funds. 

Landowners who opt to advance their property to a more complex restoration project (adding woody debris, adjusting the channel course, etc.) may have to pay a portion of the additional restoration costs through PCD's cost-share rates. PCD will help in acquiring grant funds to cover a portion of your cost-share anticipated lalalalaa. However, the initial treatment of knotweed will NOT cost the landowner any money. We just ask for a little bit of your time. 

Knotweed when left untreated will continue to grow and spread throughout your property and beyond. It is our recommendation to treat the knotweed on your land to reduce and eventually eradicate knotweed presence, opening space for recreation and other plants. 

Large monocultures may reduce your/your neighbor's property value and if left untreated large patches will form large stands that feed the problem.  

Fill out the form linked below to get into contact with our knotweed control team. It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to your neighbors and see if they want to join your efforts to build a healthier habitat.

Sign up here for a site visit

During treatment, PCD intends to use a systemic herbicide, Imazapyr. Imazapyr is an herbicide whose formula has gone through rigorous testing to ensure it is safe for waterways. When this particular product comes into contact with water, it begins to rapidly degrade. For more environmental impact information, explore the safety data sheet below. 

Imazapyr Safety Sheet

While PCD is treating with Imazapyr, we will do the following to reduce herbicide use:

• When treating knotweed via foliar application, we spray at the lowest concentration of 1%.
• We use as little herbicide as possible during treatment.
• We will use shields to prevent spraying desired vegetation/structures.

PCD has a team of trained a licensed pesticide professionals that strive to reduce the environmental impact of herbicide. Avoid risking your safety and health when handling herbicide by letting PCD do it for you. 

If you would like to talk more about methods and address any concerns, please reach out to Kyrstin Onaga at KyrstinO@piercecd.org or (253) 325-3504.

PCD's knotweed control program is currently only treating landowner properties along South Prairie Creek and Wilkeson Creek (including tributaries to South Prairie and Wilkeson creeks). We will be prioritizing areas within 250 feet of the creeks, further distances from the creek may also be eligible. 

• PCD does not provide laboratory water quality testing. 
• You are welcome to sample on your own and send to a laboratory.  We recommend sampling more than 1 or 2 times. For understanding general lake health, we recommend longer term sampling. 
  • A local laboratory is Water Management Laboratories in Tacoma 
  • Their instructions include calling 253-531-3121 prior to sampling. They will provide you with sample bottles, sampling instructions and drop off instructions. 
  • Laboratory costs can range from $50 to $500 depending on the number of samples and type of testing. 
• You can also contact the Washington State Department of Ecology and take a sample for toxic algae if the lake is not already monitored by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. How to report and test a bloom (nwtoxicalgae.org)

• The Department of Ecology provides aquatic weed control technical assistance: Aquatic weed control technical assistance - Washington State Department of Ecology
• You can also check with your WA Fish & Wildlife Area Habitat Biologist: Rules for aquatic plant removal and control | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

• See our Lakes 101 PowerPoint

• If the Washington State Department of Ecology has monitored your lake, data can be found here: Lakes Environmental Data | Washington State Department of Ecology, aquatic plants, cyanobacteria, algae blooms, water quality, fisheries, bathymetry, maps

• If you live on or near a lake you can become an Algae Watch Volunteer. Get involved with the Algae Watch Volunteer Group. Email Lindsay Tuttle: ltuttle@tpchd.org to sign up.

• If you think there is a harmful algae bloom on your lake refer to: 
  • Freshwater algae control - Washington State Department of Ecology
  • Toxic Algae | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (tpchd.org)
• The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department does not work on lake treatments, but can provide education on toxic algae, preventative actions and how to take care of your septic system. 

• Reduce fertilizers.
• Maintain your septic system.
• Pick up after your pets, don’t feed waterfowl and keep livestock away from the water.
• Plant native plants between your yard and the water to reduce runoff and prevent erosion.

• Lakes go through natural processes and lakes in Pierce County are in different phases. Humans and climate change can accelerate this process. Lakes can transition from marsh to swamp to bog and go from deep to shallow lakes over long periods of time. Lakes can also be dominated by plants or algae. 

The answer to this question depends on your specific site conditions and should involve a site assessment by a shoreline specialist.  If your home is not directly at risk, then it is very likely that the answer will be "no" - there will be little reason to invest in expensive shoreline interventions such as a bulkhead.  In fact, it will be difficult to get new shoreline armor permitted if it does not directly protect a primary structure such as a home.  Ideally, your shoreline exhibits the typical slow, natural erosion process that supports coastal habitat and functions in Puget Sound.  Whatever the outcome of your shoreline assessment, you will want to make certain that you are not contributing to (or accelerating) erosion problems inadvertently.  Your property management decisions can cause unintended problems with drainage or slope instability.  Understanding how best to manage water and vegetation on your shoreline will limit erosion on your waterfront.

Go back to the Shore Friendly Pierce page for more information on shoreline plants and water management. 

Water often has a huge impact on slope stability.  You want to be certain that your shoreline drainage strategy or irrigation systems are not leaking or contributing to bank instability or erosion.  Drainage management above shoreline slopes can be complex, so we typically recommend using professional guidance to assess and develop a water management strategy that is appropriate for your property.  

Some things to keep in mind: if you have any pipe systems (tight lines, subsurface drains, French or curtain drains, etc.), know exactly where they are.  Monitor them several times each year for leaks or breaks, so you don't soak extra water into a slope or bluff unintentionally.  Remember that our "natural drainage management systems" are incredibly valuable: our native vegetation provides an incredible service with regard to water management.  Layers of trees, shrubs and groundcovers will intercept, slow down, take up, and evapotranspire rainfall on your property, thus decreasing the amount of runoff that you need to manage.  In contrast, large paved or roof areas and big lawns actually create extra water that you will have to manage in order to avoid contributing to erosion or even slope instability.  

Go back to the Shore Friendly Pierce page for more information about shoreline plants and water management. 

The webpage and downloadable publication below provide an excellent overview and additional guidance:

• Publication: Ecology Publication #95-107: Surface Water and Groundwater on Coastal Bluffs: A Guide for Puget Sound Property Owners. 

As a basic rule, you benefit the most by keeping as much native vegetation (trees, shrubs and groundcovers) as possible on your waterfront (and on your property as a whole).  Layers of vegetation provide significant water management and slope stabilization services.  Instead of clearing your property and putting in a large lawn to the water's edge, limit the extent of clearing to the area that you will actually use.  Hire tree care professionals such as certified arborists to prune your trees for views, and plant additional native trees and shrubs in the unused areas of your property to improve water management and slope stability around you home.

Try the International Society of Arborists, Pacific Northwest Chapter, for certified tree care professionals.

Try the Washington Native Plant Society for year round local sources for Pacific Northwest native plants.

Once each year in winter, check for the Bare Root Native Plant sale here at Mason Conservation District.

Read through our Shore Friendly resources for a basic grounding in marine waterfront plant species and landscape management.

Don't hesitate to contact staff here at Pierce Conservation District for plant species suggestions, planting plans, and resources to increase the diversity and amount of native vegetation on your waterfront property.  We can help you choose the right species to meet your landscaping aesthetics while also benefiting Puget Sound habitat and property management goals.

Yes, there are bulkhead alternatives and they are being used more and more often around Puget Sound. When deciding how you will respond to erosion on your waterfront, you will want answers to the following questions... 

• First, are you certain that you truly need to do something? 
• Is erosion posing a direct risk to your home, or is it part of the natural process of coastal change and something you can live with? 
• Why is erosion happening? Is it natural or is it caused by vegetation and drainage management practices?
• Is it possible to change upland management before modifying your shoreline? This could be a significantly less expensive and less complex process - as well as better for your property and for the overall health of the Puget Sound. 

Before you make a decision, seek unbiased guidance from a shoreline professional - not just a bulkhead installer.  When possible, consult several coastal professionals before you decide how to respond to erosion on the waterfront.  

If an intervention is necessary to protect a critical structure such as your home, you will also want to find out if bulkhead alternatives are feasible for your specific property.  Site conditions will determine the options available for your unique section of the marine shoreline.  Characteristics such as bluff conditions, bank height, exposure to open water and wind energy, the surrounding shoreline context, upland conditions, and many other factors determine which options make sense for stabilizing a shoreline.  Again, seek unbiased professional guidance before making a decision.  Learn about the alternatives, their appropriateness for your site, and the timeline involved.  Taking time to learn all you can may save you thousands of dollars in the long run. 

See examples of alternatives, or soft shore stabilization projects HERE

Making changes to the waterfront is a complex process and typically involves a number of permitting agencies as well as permit fees in addition to the cost of construction.  The first place to receive guidance on your proposed shoreline project will be Pierce County Planning and Land Services.

Web: Pierce County Planning and Land Services 

Physical address: 2401 South 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 

Telephone: (253) 798-7036 

Mason County's Planning Department staff will help you understand whether your proposal is feasible, and if so, what is required.  Depending on the nature of your project, permits may be required from:

• Pierce County
• Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife
• US Army Corps of Engineers, depending on the type of project you are planning. 

Be aware that Cultural Resource investigations for archaeological sites may also be required. 

If your shoreline armor can't be safely removed, you can still contribute to a healthy Puget Sound. 

• Start with shoreline vegetation: wherever possible, plant natives species that will overhang the shoreline armor and drop food such as insects into the water below. You can select lower-growing species for important view areas, and larger shrubs or trees for the edges.  Remember that birds, insects, and many mammals share the shorelines with us - and with all the sea creatures.
• Be sure to properly maintain your septic system.
• Avoid the use of fertilizers and chemicals along Puget Sound's sensitive shorelines. Landscaping with native plants eliminates the need for fertilizers.

WSU's Shore Stewards program has a great guide full of additional tips, that can be downloaded from the link below or picked up at their office in downtown Shelton:

WSU Shore Stewards - Guide for Shoreline Living

Waterfront impacts vary depending on the specific context of each property, but the cumulative impact of shoreline armor has led to declines in quality habitat for many Puget Sound species.  The type and number of impacts depend on the form of armor involved and the nature of the property.  Potential (and commonly observed) impacts include:

• Loss of upper beach and backshore (beach area above MHHW), due to increased beach erosion
• Reduction of the area of dry beach at high tide due to increased beach erosion
• Reduction of the amount of accumulated large wood (drift wood and logs) and beach wrack (shells, seaweed, etc. left on the beach at the high tide line)
• Reduction of available forage fish spawning habitat (herring, sand lance...)
• Reduction of area available for recreation due to increased beach erosion
• Modification or removal of connections between the water and land, which makes access difficult for people and for wildlife
• Reduction of the movement of materials and organics between aquatic and terrestrial systems 
• Reduction of the quality of riparian (shoreline vegetation) functions, such as food delivery, wood recruitment, and shelter
• Altered drainage patterns to the beach
• Passive erosion
• Limitation of the natural retreat of the shoreline, which narrows the remaining available beach
• Altered sediment delivery and transport, which affects the availability of materials that build Puget Sound beaches
• Reduction of the delivery of sediment into the system and reduction the overall amount of available sediment moving along the shoreline in the local "drift cell" or littoral cell
• Changed sediment movement along the shoreline, which causes localized erosion down-drift
• Altered wave action, which can shift the direction or impact of wave energy to neighboring sites
• Increased erosion and scour on the beach through wave reflection, which can undermine the stability of shoreline armor over time...

Learn more: Washington State Department of Ecology website

Source: Gianou, K. 2014. Soft Shoreline Stabilization: Shoreline Master Program Planning and Implementation Guidance. Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, Washington Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA. Publication no. 14-06-009.) 

Habitat stewardship is the volunteer model that PCD employs to expand our effective range through the community. Staff train and provide material support to volunteers who want to take a more active role in restoring critical green space. These stewards lead volunteers during work party events where invasive plants are removed and native bio-diverse habitat is bolstered to improve water quality.

Here in the water quality department PCD focuses on urban, green space that has the highest impact on the local watershed which can include: lakes, streams, wetlands, floodplains etc. PCD partners with local cities and property owners to focus on high priority zones, ensuring support and long term cooperation.

These ecological zones are critical as our cities are consistently expanding. Increasing biodiversity by removing invasive species and adding in native plants improves the filtration of harmful toxins, and absorption of surface water. Additionally wildlife relies on the remaining natural spaces for food, shelter and safety.

Has there been a site you have volunteered at that you loved? Are you feeling inspired to help the community with high priority restoration sites? If so, this is the sign to jump in and join us on this restoration focused journey for a healthier more vibrant community.

You will receive a valuable, FREE training in restoration and maintenance techniques, volunteer management, project implementation, and much more. Sites will be selected based on need and individual interest. 

Learn how YOU can create and restore wildlife habitat in Pierce County at our habitat stewardship training. NO prior experience necessary, just the desire to get outdoors, and make a difference. 

Habitat Stewardship Training Interest Form!

Typical work party activities include:

• Identifying native and invasive species
• Invasive species removal
• Installing native plants
• Spreading mulch to retain moisture around plantings, deter invasive resurgence, and maintain pathways
• Picking up trash
• Monitoring established plants

The different seasons bring with them different restoration focuses at the habitat stewardship sites. In early spring and fall, work parties may include installing new plants; these times of year give them the best opportunity to be successful. In the winter and summer, work parties often focus on invasive species removal and mulching to prepare the spaces for the establishment of native species.

Make sure to always have personal equipment to make your time volunteering safe and comfortable. Wear items you wont mind getting dirty! Work parties take place rain or shine.

All needed tools will be provided for use during the work parties. You can bring your own gardening/leather work gloves if you have them; spares will be available for use.

Dress for success!

We always recommend:

• Long pants
• Long sleeved shirt
• Close toed shoes (Required)
• Full water bottle

In the fall and winter include:

• Dress in warm layers
• Jacket for cold/rain
• Waterproof shoes
• Warm hat

In the spring and summer include:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Breathable long sleeves
• Hat

Every month we host volunteer events around the county. Activities are seasonal, but often revolve around removing invasive plants, and installing native species. 

We have our current listing of events on the calendar.

“Rates and charges” refer to county-approved fees that local residents pay to cover public services in the community. For example, county residents pay water and sewer management fees that are based on a county-approved system of rates and charges to cover the cost of those services. In the same way, this rate and charge fee covers conservation-related services in the county.

We are still in the process of determining cost for Pierce County residents. Under the previous plan, the Rate per parcel per year was about $10. 

Conservation Districts provide public services. We do not profit, and as a mission-driven public entity our budget is tied to public funding and project-specific grants. PCD can’t pursue commercial activities that aren’t directly related to our mission.

We actively seek out state, federal, local, and foundational grants, but grants are volatile revenue sources that fluctuate year-to-year and usually have hyper-specific spending purposes. To better tailor our services to local needs, rates and charges allow for control of funds and how they are invested into the community.

Rates and Charges funding benefits everyone whether they use our services or not. It allows us to achieve local goals like restoring wildlife habitat, preserving agriculture, managing the impacts of urbanization, and providing equitable, community-driven solutions to environmental challenges.

Additionally, we leverage these local dollars with state, federal, and foundation funds to create even greater impact. For every $1 in Rates & Charges, PCD currently leverages approximately $8 in grants/contracts.

Pierce Conservation District is overseen by a locally-elected board. This board will vote on a proposed rates and charges plan at a public hearing. The proposal then goes to the Pierce County Council for a final decision.