An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of mixed fresh and salt water with one or more streams flowing into it and with a free connection to the open sea.

The boardwalk and observation platforms on the north side are the best places for viewing. The south and west sides are currently inaccessible to the public. The boardwalk is directly south of the Harbor Square buildings near the Harbor Square Athletic Club. See MAP

The marsh serves as habitat for many species of birds and other animals. It has the potential, if restored to a true estuary, to help revive the salmon population. It serves as an outdoor refuge in the midst of the city, providing a source of education about nature and the Puget Sound coastal environment. The marsh helps with climate issues through carbon sequestration and helps handle and filter storm water run-off. Well-planned trail features and observation spots will make this unique natural treasure accessible to the whole Edmonds community.

Restoration could play a role in increasing rare estuary habitat in Puget Sound, restoring salmon populations, expanding bird habitat, improving recreational access to open space parkland, and educating the public about the importance of the natural environment.

The current Edmonds Marsh is the remnant of what was once a 100-acre tidal estuary and freshwater marsh.

Several of the Coast Salish peoples, including allied bands and tribes of the present day Tulalips, fished and gathered on the shores of what is now Puget Sound.

No, the long pipe connecting the marsh to Puget Sound is a barrier to fish migration.

Yes, if the pipe were to be replaced by an open channel, chum and coho salmon would spawn in Willow and Shellabarger creeks. Young migrating salmon from Puget Sound would also enter the marsh estuary to feed.

No, the City of Edmonds has not selected a preferred alternative for restoring the marsh. The Edmonds Marsh Estuary Advocates group has proposed that an estuary expansion plan be considered as one of alternatives for making the reconnection.

It is a proposal that converts 10 acres of the Unocal site into a tidally influenced saltwater estuary. The estuary would provide the connection to Puget Sound. Other aspects of the proposal are described in the restoration proposal.

This is a term used to describe the placement of the creek flow from the marsh to Puget Sound into an above-ground open channel and abandonment of the underground pipe that now carries that water. (Daylighting by itself does not include the buffer zone that would make the channel most appealing to salmon.)

Two railroad bridges now exist near the dog park at Marina Beach Park. This is where the connection between the marsh and the sound would be placed. The channel could extend from under those bridges out to the sound. The connection from the existing marsh to those bridges would need to pass through the Unocal parcel. Various options are possible for making that part of the connection.

Funding sources will depend on the restoration plan selected. Estuary expansion would attract support from a number of regional salmon recovery, national estuary, nearshore restoration, wildlife enhancement, and outdoor recreation funds. Commercial development of the Unocal site would limit that support path but could provide some level of private mitigation funding.

Several options exist. In all cases the City of Edmonds Parks and Public Works departments would oversee restoration. The city could also take the lead in applying for grants and provide all management input. Outside natural resource agencies are an option in providing these management and funding solicitation efforts. An example of this model is the Point-No-Point estuary restoration effort. Details can be found at this website.

Parks funding in underserved areas in Edmonds is a priority for the city. As a result, the effort to attract regional funding sources for marsh restoration is critical. Depending on the restoration plan selected, it is expected that the majority of support for buying the Unocal property and completing restoration would come from state and federal agencies. Also, since restoration will occur several years in the future, it is expected that the Edmonds share of the restoration effort would occur after other parks priorities have been met.

No, a comprehensive plan could include the Willow and Shellabarger Creek watersheds, the Edmonds Marsh, the Unocal property, Marina Beach Park, and Harbor Square.

This area is polluted land adjacent to the Edmonds Marsh that is now owned by Chevron.

Yes, past operation at the Unocal site has spread hydrocarbon pollution into the soils and groundwater in the area. Cleanup is removing some of that pollution. Runoff from the surrounding area also contributes pollutants to the marsh.

Soil replacement and a groundwater dual-phase extraction system are methods being used at the Unocal site. Information can be found at this website

If cleanup goals are met, it could be as early as December, 2023. For a more detailed report look here.

Multiple critical area designations cover most of the site. They include: wetlands, wetland buffers, floodplain, sensitive habitats and species, landslide and erosion, and seismic hazard critical areas. Two to four acres of the 21-acre site are without designations.

The Edmonds Marsh parcel is zoned Open Space (OS), Marina Beach Park is zoned Commercial Waterfront (CW), and Unocal is zoned Master Plan Hillside Mixed Use (MP2). CW and MP2 zoning allow development.

Read about it HERE