On 5/9/2003, Scott Atkinson wrote:
>Look out, Skagit WMA birding fans!
>
>The Dept. of Fish & Game and the Swinomish Tribe are promoting a plan to
>breach the dike that forms the loop trail from the boat launch parking lot
>to the parking lot by the bathrooms at the Skagit WMA main access (aka
>headquarters, off Wylie Rd). This would cause the weedy fields and scrub
>area between the dikes to be flooded by salt water inundation/incoming
>tides. The idea is to promote chinook salmon habitat restoration, a worthy
>cause no doubt, specifically to link up Wylie Slough to the Skagit River.
>Word has it that when the dike was built, it ruined salmon breeding habitat
>in Wylie Slough.

Wonderful! I hope them every success. I find it peculiar that people
who proclaim to love birds would be so upset by habitat restoration.
Yes, the species in that area will change--back to what should be
there. Yes, human access will be harder--but that's often better for
the birds and other wildlife; they'll have a better chance to avoid
disturbance, so sensitive species will have as good a chance as
generalist species. Shrubby areas may be less common these days than
50-100 years ago--but that kind of habitat is mostly a human construct
in the first place in our region. Wetlands and estuaries are more
natural, and far more endangered.

Don't forget that improving salmon habitat increases salmon runs, and
this is not only important to fishermen--it's crucial for forest
health. The adult salmon literally fertilize the forest as their
bodies are eaten and carried off by bears, eagles, etc. This is how
and nitrogen, phosphorus, and many other nutrients come back from the
sea, where otherwise many would be lost for geological time. Without
healthy salmon runs, you'll have fewer eagles and spotted owls.

So hooray for the breaching of the dikes!
--
Allyn Weaks allyn at tardigrade.net Seattle, WA Sunset zone 5
Pacific NW Native Wildlife Gardening: http://www.tardigrade.org/natives/
"The benefit of even limited monopolies is too doubtful, to be opposed
to that of their general suppression." Thomas Jefferson