Northwest Straits Foundation, Sunlight Shores Country Club and Island County Marine Resources Committee are partners on the Sunlight Shores nearshore restoration project. In fall 2018, 350 linear feet of shoreline and 0.25 acres of nearshore habitat were restored within Useless Bay, Whidbey Island.
Much work had to be done to restore the area, including debris, rip rap, and fill removal, creosote piling removal and disposal; shoreline regrading; large woody debris procurement and placement; soil amendment and mulching; and planting.
Planting of the restoration site began on March 19, 2019. The first phase of planting consisted of planting coast gumweed, snowberry, ocean spray, nootka rose, beach pea, shore pine, red flowering currant, seashore plantain, seashore lupine and 1,500 dune grass. Thanks to volunteers, and members of both the Island County MRC and Sunlight Shores Country Club, planting was completed in less than three hours.
The design and permitting for this project was funded by Marine & Nearshore Grant Program/Habitat Strategic Initiative (EPA/WDFW/DNR).
Construction funding provided by Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Honda Marine Science Foundation, and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.
Engineering and design of the project was completed by Coastal Geologic Services. Construction was completed by Trimaxx Construction, Inc.
Time lapse video of the Sunlight Shores project by Coastal Geologic Services.
Video from Island County DNR featuring Sunlight Shores.
Before picture taken by John Githens
After picture taken by John Githens