Since this has been a subject of interest here before, I am enclosing the
following announcement regarding the Wiley Slough project at the Skagit
Wildlife Management Area on Fir Island, Skagit County. As most of you
probably know, the plan is to remove some dikes and allow flooding of the
fields and bush rows. There will no longer be a loop trail.

I have been told that the planning is in ?the very early stages? and that
all input is welcome and will be listened to. I have no idea how much
effect input will have. It does seem that they have a pretty good idea of
what they want to do. Is it all preordained? I don?t know. No one can
have any expectation of stopping the project, but there may be a chance for
some compromise about just what areas will be flooded. Their goal of course
is to try to return the area to its original condition so that there is more
habitat for fish. It is a laudable goal. These people are not against
birds, they are just FOR fish.

They have heard some voices of concern for the bird habitat and have some
understanding of what is there, but I don?t believe they are aware of just
how important this area is for birds.

It would be good if everyone who is concerned would submit a written
statement and/or attend one of their field trips. I think that receiving
comments from many individuals is very important, but a coordinated, well
thought out plan could be even more powerful. Although I plan to submit
comments, I cannot take a lead on any coordinated effort.

Thanks in advance to all who take the time to comment.

Keith Wiggers
ANNOUNCEMENT

COME LEARN MORE ABOUT THE

WILEY SLOUGH RESTORATION PROJECT

The Wiley Slough Work Group is hosting
field trips at the proposed restoration site on
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
led by Dr. Greg Hood, the project's Landscape Ecologist
and other members of the Work Group

Meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Shelter
Skagit Wildlife Area off Wylie Road on Fir Island.

ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Wiley Slough Restoration project is a collaboration between the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Skagit Watershed Council,
the Skagit River System Cooperative, and several Federal agencies and
private interests including Ducks Unlimited and Washington Waterfowl
Association. The intent of this partnership is to develop a design for
restoring an historic tidal and riverine system, thereby benefiting the
diversity of fish and wildlife species that rely on estuaries, including
salmon and a wide variety of migratory birds.

Our intention is to rehabilitate natural processes at the Wiley Slough site
that will be largely self-sustaining and in turn will support natural fish,
wildlife and vegetative communities common to estuarine habitats in Puget
Sound. To this end, our design approach focuses on restoring important
physical processes (tidal and riverine flooding). The project will be
designed in a way that protects interests of adjacent land owners, promotes
wildlife oriented recreational activities consistent with the restoration
objectives, and considers the perspectives of stakeholders affected by the
project.

For more information:
Visit the project website at www.wileyslough.org
<http://www.wileyslough.org/>
OR
Call Shirley Solomon, Skagit Watershed Council (360) 419-9326