SAND LAKE ESTUARY WETLAND ACQUISITION

Transcription

SAND LAKE ESTUARY WETLAND ACQUISITION
A PROPOSAL TO THE NATIONAL COASTAL WETLANDS CONSERVATION
GRANT PROGRAM
Submitted To:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Submitted By:
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
725 Summer St. N.E. Suite C
Salem, OR 97301
Contact: Jim Morgan (503) 986-0738
Primary Partner: North Coast Land Conservancy
JUNE 2012
EXCEUTIVE SUMMARY
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is requesting $675,000 in federal
funds to help acquire 167 acres within the Sand Lake Estuary. The property will
be permanently preserved by the North Coast Land Conservancy and the State
of Oregon. The Sand Lake property is located ten (10) miles south of Tillamook,
Oregon and surrounded by a network of privately conserved and publicly owned
lands.
The Sand Lake wetland parcel proposed for acquisition totals 167 acres of
coastal estuary and associated freshwater wetlands. The aquatic system
includes intertidal salt marsh, tidal channels, and forested wetlands that connect
to a number of stream systems. The property includes 1.5 miles of Sand Creek,
which is one of the major stream corridors and a migratory pathway for salmon
and steelhead spawning adults and is important rearing habitat for smolting
salmon and steelhead while chum salmon have also been recorded in the
system. Sand Creek connects to three other tributaries (Jewel, Andy, and Davis
Creeks) totaling 4.7 miles in spawning reaches. In addition, there are four miles
of spawning reaches in the rest of the estuary system on adjacent protected
lands. The Sand Lake property and estuary also support a large bird population
with recent surveys identifying over 43 species using the Sand Lake property.
These species include the Bald Eagle, Dunlin, Rufous Hummingbird, and Willow
Flycatcher which are all North Coast Basin priority species.
Of the 36 major estuaries recognized in Oregon, the Sand Lake Estuary is just
one of four bar-built estuaries found along the coast giving it a unique status.
Classified as a relatively pristine estuary, Sand Lake is the only remaining
estuary of its size on the Oregon Coast that is dominated by a diverse set of
native plant associations due to very little agricultural or commercial
development. According to The Nature Conservancy, the Sand Lake estuary also
supports the largest known remnant stand of old-growth western red cedar
swamp in Oregon. The estuarine habitat is largely intact along the western
portion of Sand Lake with agricultural land use activities taking place in the
eastern portion of the estuary.
Sand Lake Estuary National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Application
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary .......................................................................... page 2
Table of Contents.............................................................................. page 3
Project Statement ........................................................................... pages 4-7
A. Need .................................................................................... page 4
B. Objectives ............................................................................ page 4
C. Benefits and duration of benefits ......................................... page 4
D. Approach ............................................................................. page 4-5
E. Location ............................................................................... page 5
F. Partners and Cost................................................................ page 5
G. State trust fund .................................................................... page 6
H. Other coastal actions, plans ................................................ page 6
I. Public involvement, interagency coordination ...................... page 6-7
J. Letters of commitment ......................................................... page 7
Ranking Criteria .............................................................................. pages 7-28
1. Wetlands conservation .................................................................. page 7-10
2. Maritime forests on coastal barriers .............................................. page 11
3. Long-term conservation ................................................................ page 12
4. Coastal watershed management .................................................. page 12
5. Conservation of threatened/endangered species.......................... page 13-14
6. Benefits to fish .............................................................................. page 14-17
7. Benefits to coastal-dependent or migratory birds .......................... page 17-19
8. Prevent or reduce contamination .................................................. page 19-20
9. Catalyst for future conservation .................................................... page 20-22
10. Partners in conservation ............................................................. page 22-23
11. Federal share reduced ................................................................ page 23-24
12. Education/outreach, wildlife-oriented recreation ......................... page 24-25
13. Other factors ............................................................................... page 25-28
Additional considerations/tiebreakers ............................................... page 29-30
Appendices
 Maps ...................................................................................... page 31-33
 Additional bird species list………………………………………..page 34
 Pictures .................................................................................. page 35-40
 Letters of commitment ........................................................... page 41
 References ............................................................................ page 42-43
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Project Statement
A. Project Need:
Estuaries and their associated wetlands and forests are the “beating heart” of the
coastal interface between upland watersheds and the near-shore ocean. If an
estuary is impacted by diking, filling, development on pilings, marinas and other
marine based industry, conversion and fragmentation create loss not only at the
estuarine level, but at the watershed level by impacting the major transition zone
of a watershed. Protection by acquisition is the best method to abate that
potential future loss. As stated in the Joint Ocean Commission’s report and
echoed by the West Coast Governor’s agreement, protection of the land-sea
interface is paramount to the future livability of the west coast. Estuaries exhibit
among the highest biodiversity and ability to produce ecosystem services of any
ecosystem type on earth, and in the terrestrial setting are rivaled only by
rainforests which come in at a close second. The Sand Lake property owned by
the Teufel family has exceptional ecological productivity due to the intact and
functioning presence of both the estuarine and rainforest ecosystem types.
B. Project Objective:
Protecting the ecosystems ability to maintain high water quality and watershed
functions including persistence of priority habitats and species is the ultimate
goal of the proposed Sand Lake acquisition. Protection through acquisition
avoids the prospect of restoring the system later at much greater cost than the
current cost of this proposed acquisition. This proposal also advances Oregon
state wide goals to protect estuaries zoned as natural on the Oregon Coast. This
zoning is meant to assure the citizens of Oregon that some of the highest value
resources in the state will be protected. The Sand Lake Estuary is zoned as a
natural system and this proposal will take one more step in assuring the citizens
of Oregon and the United States that the coastal goals will be achieved and
deliver ecosystem services in perpetuity.
C. Duration of Benefits:
The property will be protected in perpetuity by the North Coast Land
Conservancy (NCLC) and the State of Oregon. The North Coast Land
Conservancy will hold fee title while the State of Oregon will hold a conservation
easement over the property. This ensures multiple partners working together to
permanently protect and steward the conservation values of the Sand Lake
property.
D. Approach:
The acquisition of the Sand Lake property is part of a much larger effort by cities
and municipalities to protect estuaries within the state as mandated by the State
of Oregon through Goal 16: Estuarine Resources of the Oregon Statewide
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Planning Goals and Guidelines. Goal 16 states that comprehensive management
programs shall be developed by the appropriate local, state, and federal
agencies for all estuaries to “protect the unique environmental, economic, and
social values of each estuary and associated wetlands.” The approach is also
used by land trusts who work with private willing land owners on land acquisitions
as a tool to implement state, regional and national goals. This effort is shared by
North Coast Land Conservancy who over the last several years has permanently
protected of 500 acres or estuarine wetlands in the Necanicum and Nehalem
estuaries. Sand Lake has long been a priority clearly defined in the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Oregon Conservation Strategy, Pacific Coast
Joint Venture’s Bird Conservation Plan, and The Nature Conservancy’s
Ecoregional Assessment.
E. Location:
The Sand Lake Estuary is centrally located along the Oregon Coast
approximately ten (10) miles south of Tillamook. The Sand Lake property is
located on the northwesterly extent of the estuary and is surrounded by a
network of conserved lands.
Located just across the road from Bradley Bog owned by the Nature
Conservancy, freshwater wetlands are hydrologically connected via a culvert
under the road between Bradley Bog and the Sand Lake property. Bradley Bog
protects a small population of Darlingtonia californica (California pitcherplant).
Also, to the south across from the Bradley Bog and surrounded by the proposed
Sand Lake property is a small bed and breakfast, Sand Lake Country Inn, which
is the first green certified Bed and Breakfast in Oregon.
The east side of the property is adjoined by three agricultural properties. The
southern boundary is connected to public trust lands (navigable waters) and the
Clay Myers State Park Natural Area at Whalen Island. The western boundary
adjoins private land, but is also connected to freshwater wetlands and salt marsh
on private land. Much of this border is relatively undisturbed and includes a bald
eagle nest on private land. NCLC will begin exploring the opportunities to expand
the western boundary to add additional forest and wetland habitats to this border
through land acquisition. As agricultural holdings decline in use, residential
development opportunities and pressures build. There will be continuing
fragmentation of the lowland areas from retirement and recreational home
development pressure. Given this pressure, the proposed acquisition is an
opportunity to secure an ecological hub and habitat stronghold in the Sand Lake
estuary.
The lowlands around Sand Lake estuary are privately owned. There is significant
pressure for residential development in this coastal community. Conservation
acquisition is an important tool for lowland protection to buffer the estuarine
wetlands and link public ownerships with conservation ownerships to consolidate
conservation management.
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F. Estimated Costs:
Total Costs
Acquisition Cost*
$665,000
Project Costs**
$10,000
Total
$675,000
*Acquisition Cost is based on an appraisal completed in 2009. Based on current real estate market conditions it is
anticipated the final acquisition cost will decline in correlation with the market.
** Project costs were determined by NCLC based on a billing rate of $27 per hour.
Source
Acquisition
Cash or In-kind
Fed / Non
USFWS
$675,000
cash
Federal
Charlotte Martin
Foundation*
$20,000
cash
Private
PG&E Salmon Fund*
$15,000
cash
Private
National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation*
$50,000
Cash
Private
State Parks
$225,000
in-kind
State
Nestucca, Neskowin and
Sand Lake Watershed
Council
$10,000
in-kind
State
Country Inn
$5,000
in-kind
Private
*indicates pending match. If cash match is awarded NCLC and State Parks will use the money to lower the
Ask from USFWS.
G. State Trust Fund:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service previously determined that Oregon’s
constitutionally dedicated state lottery funds for habitat conservation and
watershed improvement make the state eligible for a federal cost-share of 75
percent for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.
H. Other Conservation Actions and Their Relationship to the Project
The Sand Lake Estuary presents an important opportunity for multiple interests to
share a common goal of protecting the estuarine functions. The significant
amount of public ownership in the watershed and the key conservation
ownerships of coastal wetland features (50 acre Bradley Bog, 195 acre Whalen
Island) and dedicated protection of two Research Natural Areas (Sand Lake RNA
and Renecke Creek RNA) provide an important framework for long-term
conservation. Conservation acquisition of this parcel creates strong links
between the estuary and the adjacent freshwater wetlands and uplands.
I. Public Involvement and Interagency Coordination
Conservation acquisition of wetlands associated with the Sand Lake Estuary has
been identified as an important opportunity for some time. Acquisition at this time
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will be used to engage the public through local venues and involve a number of
public agencies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be used for their
considerable technical skills in development of a stewardship plan for the parcel
along with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Coordination with Oregon
State Parks, Nature Conservancy and U. S. Forest Service will be an important
role for the land steward in managing the watersheds to benefit coastal wetland
dependent species. NCLC's management goal is to look beyond specific habitat
types and manage for all the benefits and other ecosystem services provided
along the entire river continuum—from the headwaters of rivers and streams in
the Coast Range to the sea.
J. Letters of Commitment (Appendix IV)






North Coast Land Conservancy
Sand Lake Country Inn
The Nature Conservancy
Oregon State Parks
The Nestucca, Neskowin & Sand Lake Watershed Council
Teufel Family
Ranking Criteria
1. Wetlands Conservation
The acquisition of Sand Lake will protect in perpetuity 167 acres of nationally
declining coastal wetland types and will further prevent the degradation of such
habitat in Oregon (Sand Lake Acquisition Map). Of the total land area in the
conterminous United States only 5.5 percent of the land cover is wetlands as
classified by U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s National Wetlands Inventory. Of those 107.7
million acres only five percent are marine or estuarine systems. From 1998 to
2004 marine and estuarine systems saw the second largest decline of all wetland
habitats at -1.4 percent, making it imperative we work to protect this scarce and
declining wetland resource. (Wetlands in the Conterminous U.S. 1998-2004) The
project also includes conservation of 42.5 acres of palustrine forested and scrubshrub wetlands, which from 1998-2004 saw the largest decline of any wetland
type in the conterminous U.S. at -4.9 percent. Some figures that illuminate just
how much wetland habitat we have lost is the observation that 97% of the global
extent of Sitka Spruce/Cedar tidally–influenced forested wetland swamps has
been lost, only 3% remain and are entirely located in the Pacific Northwest. Also,
in Oregon approximately 70% of estuarine wetlands have been lost to
conversion. Sand Lake currently has the lowest conversion rate of all Oregon
estuaries and has suffered only a 2% loss making this estuary the most pristine,
intact estuary in Oregon and a stronghold for the entire Oregon Coast. The Sand
Lake property is comprised of 100% nationally declining wetlands and includes
50 acres of palustrine emergent, 42.5 acres of palustrine forested and scrubSand Lake Estuary National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Application
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shrub, and 41 acres of estuarine intertidal emergent. Table one below indentifies
all types of acreages of wetlands associated with the Sand Lake Property.
The movement of water through tides and currents is what connects estuarine
habitats together. Transport of animals, sediments, nutrients, organic materials
between marine and freshwater systems is critical to the survival of millions of
estuary-dependent organisms. During high tide events, hydrological connectivity
is at its greatest. The proposed Sand Lake acquisition will provide a protected
corridor of water. Three streams, Jewel, Andy, and Davis Creeks enter the Sand
Lake estuary, these streams in total provide approximately 4.7 miles of spawning
reach for salmon, steelhead, and resident cutthroat trout. In the estuary,
freshwater begins its journey in nearby coastal mountains; three salmon bearing
streams connect to the estuary within the proposed acquisition. Once the
streams enter the lowland non-linear forested wetlands, they meander through
Sitka spruce swamp, depressional shrublands, and tidal freshwater marsh
draining into tidal channels to begin their dissection of the intertidal salt marsh,
mud flats, and eel grass beds before they empty into the ocean. Watershed
function will be enhanced and sustained by the acquisition of the 167 acres in the
Sand Lake estuary.
Table 1. Sand Lake Acquisition Wetland Types
Nationally
Decreasing Coastal
Wetland Type?
Acres
Percentage
of Total
Project
PEMC: Palustrine emergent;
nontidal,seasonally flooded
Yes
50.0
30%
PFOC: Palustrine forested; nontidal,
seasonally flooded
Yes
42.5
25%
E2EMP: Estuarine intertidal emergent;
irregularly flooded by tidal water
Yes
34.1
20%
E2EMN: Estuarine intertidal emergent;
regularly flooded by tidal water at least
once daily
Yes
16.9
10%
PSSC: Palustrine scrub-shrub; seasonally
flooded
Yes
13.1
8%
PEMAd: Palustrine emergent; temporarily
flooded partially drained or ditched
Yes
3.5
2%
PSSR: Palustrine scrub-shrub; seasonally
tidal
Yes
2.8
2%
E1UBL: Estuarine subtidal, deepwater
tidal with continuously submerged
unconsolidated bottom
Yes
2.0
1%
Wetland Type
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PUBH: Palustrine nontidal with substrate
classified as unconsolidated bottom
Yes
.9
T
PEMR: Palustrine nontidal; seasonally
tidal
Yes
.8
T
R1UBV: Riverine tidal with
unconsolidated bottom; permanently tidal
Yes
.7
T
Yes
.3
T
Yes
.2
T
R2UBH: Riverine lower perennial with
substrate classified as unconsolidated
bottom; permanently flooded
E2USN: Estuarine deepwater intertidal
with substrate classified as
unconsolidated shore
9
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2. Maritime forests on coastal barriers
Maritime forests, as defined by 50 CFR 84.11, occur only on barrier islands and
along the mainland coast from Delaware to Texas. Therefore, Oregon projects
will not benefit maritime forests.
3. Long-term conservation
North Coast Land Conservancy is celebrating 25 years as a non-profit with a
mission to “serve as a resource for Northwest Oregon coastal communities and
landowners to conserve and protect land in perpetuity for its ecological and
cultural values.” Acquisition will allow the Sand Creek Property to be protected in
perpetuity by the North Coast Land Conservancy and the State of Oregon. Fee
title will be held by the North Coast Land Conservancy while the Oregon
Watershed Enhancement Board will hold a conservation easement on the
property. The terms of the easement will be consistent with the goals and
mission of the Coastal Wetlands Program; to protect in perpetuity the declining
coastal wetland types associated with the Sand Creek Property.
The ecology of the Sand Lake site proposed for acquisition is driven by the highfunctioning hydrological connections currently in place. Hydrological drivers
include the tidal influence, the freshwater watershed flow source, and the
residual water held in the wetland systems. For the described priority habitats to
exist and continue to provide critical ecological services, the hydrological integrity
of the site must be maintained. Acquisition of this parcel would guarantee key
hydrological connections between the Sand Lake estuary and its watershed will
be maintained—providing the opportunity for priority habitats and species listed
above to exist and produce in perpetuity.
Providing a guarantee on this site for perpetual estuarine watershed connectivity
will make important contributions to securing the hydrological functions of the
entire Sand Lake estuary due to its proximity to other currently protected
conservation properties. Other parcels of conserved land include hundreds of
acres of reclaimed estuarine pasture associated with the Whalen Island State
Park Natural Area; 50 acres of The Nature Conservancy preserve, Bradley Bog;
and public land managed by the Siuslaw National Forest.
The cumulative effect of this proposed acquisition on hydrological connectivity,
habitat connectivity, and conservation ownership connectivity provides an
opportunity to complete a conservation project of such a scale that the whole
becomes much bigger than its isolated parts. Each of the properties under
conservation in the Sand Lake estuary have unique ecological value, but the
potential landscape-scale connectivity resulting from this proposed acquisition
ranks this project as a top priority. Scale and conservation ownership of highfunctioning natural resources is critical to long-term stewardship. In the Sand
Lake estuary, disturbance from human activities and invasive species are the
biggest threats. Acquisition by a conservation owner such as the North Coast
Land Conservancy, which has established working partnerships with the other
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conservation property owners in the estuary, is the best option available for
eliminating those threats and protecting this pristine Oregon resource.
Protecting the ecosystems ability to maintain high water quality and watershed
functions to support priority habitats and species is the ultimate goal of the
proposed Sand Lake acquisition. Protection through acquisition avoids the
prospect of restoring the system later at much greater cost than the current cost
of this proposed acquisition. This proposal also advances the state-wide goal to
protect estuaries zoned as natural on the Oregon Coast. This zoning is meant to
assure the citizens of Oregon that some of the highest value resources in the
state will be protected. The Sand Lake Estuary is zoned as a natural system and
this proposal will take one more step in assuring the citizens of Oregon that the
coastal goals will be achieved and will deliver ecosystem services in perpetuity.
4. Coastal watershed management
The project furthers the goals and objectives of the following formal, ongoing
coastal ecosystem management plans and efforts:

Regional Wetlands Concept Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1990).
This plan calls for the acquisition and protection of wetlands in Sand Lake
Estuary. The project advances that goal.

Strategic Plan: The Coastal Program (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2007). The Coastal Program’s strategic plan includes estuaries among its
Focus Areas for conservation. Estuaries are emphasized due to their high
ecological importance and because they provide essential habitat for
many marine and anadromous fish as well as migratory birds. This project
will contribute to meeting the Coastal Program’s goals for estuarine and
tidal wetland protection.

Oregon Conservation Strategy (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
2005). This statewide strategy identified Sand Lake area (Conservation
Opportunity Area CR-11) as a priority for wetland conservation because of
good potential to link projects to sites that are already protected. The
Oregon Conservation Strategy identifies estuaries as a focus habitat as
well as identifying the area as a conservation opportunity area. The Sand
Lake Conservation Project will conserve wetlands and wetland
connectivity and advance this statewide strategy.

Sand Lake Watershed Analysis (SRI/Shapiro/AGCO, Inc. 1998). This
watershed analysis describes the conservation of estuarine wetlands and
the resources dependent upon them.

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Ecological Priorities for
Land Acquisition by Basin (Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
2004). OWEB places priority on land acquisition projects that secure areas
undergoing transition from undeveloped to developed conditions, protect
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key portions of larger landscapes, improve connectivity, and complement
existing networks of conserved sites. The project encompasses these
principles. OWEB also determined that freshwater marsh and intertidal
salt marsh are priority ecological systems for land acquisition efforts in the
North Coast Basin, the geographical area in which the project is located.

Joint Venture Implementation Plans: Northern Oregon Coast (Oregon
Wetlands Joint Venture 1994). The Northern Oregon Coast plan calls for
securing private tidelands where there are willing sellers and permanently
protecting 2,700 acres of freshwater wetlands. The Sand Lake Wetlands
Conservation Project advances these goals.

The Oregon Coastal Management Plan (Oregon Department of Land
Conservation and Development 1987). Statewide Planning Goal 16
(Estuarine Resources) established detailed requirements for the planning
and management of Oregon’s estuaries. The overall objective of Goal 16
is to “recognize and protect the unique environmental, economic, and
social values of each estuary and associated wetlands.” Sand Lake
Estuary is classified as a “natural” estuary with only natural management
units. Conservation acquisition of private wetlands will meet the
management outcomes of the Oregon Coastal Management Plan.

Oregon’s Wetland Strategy (Leibowitz 1995). This strategy calls for
priority protection for wetlands that serve multiple functions and are
connected to other wetlands. The project will acquire wetlands that have
both good wildlife and water quality functions and also pose an
outstanding opportunity to ensure connectivity from freshwater wetlands to
open estuary in the Sand Lake Estuary.

Oregon Wetlands Priority Plan (Oregon Division of State Lands and
Oregon State Parks and Recreation Division 1989). This plan identified
Oregon’s estuaries as one of the state’s top priorities for wetlands
conservation. The plan states that “wetland types with public values
recognized by local communities” are critical area in need of conservation.
5. Conservation of threatened and endangered species
The Sand Lake Conservation Project will contribute to the conservation of
listed , recently de-listed species, and threatened species, (Table 3) that
occur regularly at the project site (parcels proposed for acquisition and
immediately adjacent habitat) and/or in the project area.
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Table 3: Listed Species Conserved by the Project
Species
Coho salmon
(Oregon Coast
ESU)
(Oncorhychus
kisutch)
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus
leucocephalus)
Peregrine falcon
(Falco
peregrinus)
Northern Sea
Lion
(Eumetopias
jubatus)
Status
Project Benefits
Other Information
Federal:
threatened
The estuarine wetlands
proposed for acquisition
provide valuable nursery
habitat for coho. The
palustrine forested wetlands,
temporarily tidally influenced
during storms, provide refuge
that is critical for the survival
of young coho.
The Oregon Coast Coho
Conservation Plan for the State
of Oregon specifies the need
for concerted conservation
investments in estuarine
habitats to boost their viability
(Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife 2007).
The project site and project
area provide year-round
foraging habitat (waterfowl,
gulls, fish). There is a nesting
pair within a few hundred
meters of the parcel.
North American Landbird
Conservation Plan (Species of
Continental Importance);
ODFW Species of Greatest
Conservation Need; Pacific
Bald Eagle Recovery Plan,
Region 1, USFWS (protect
habitat)
area provide winter and
migratory foraging habitat for
falcons. Falcons have been
observed foraging in the
Sand Lake estuary.
ODFW Species of Greatest
Conservation Need; Pacific
Coast American Peregrine
Falcon Recovery Plan (protect
habitat)
area provide tidal channels
for use by sea lions. A sea
lion was observed using the
tidal channels on the western
portion of the property.
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
National Marine Fisheries
Service
Federal:
delisted
State:
delisted
Federal:
delisted
State:
delisted
Federal:
threatened
6. Benefits to fish
The Sand Creek Estuary contains a single primary source of potential salmonid
habitat, Sand Creek. Sand Creek is a 4th order stream with three significant
tributaries, Jewel, Andy, and Davis Creeks. Sand Creek and its associated
tributaries account for nearly all of the basin’s summer rearing Coho and due to
little human interference has large amounts of downed woody debris within its
reaches on the proposed acquisition (Bio-Surveys, LLC). The upper 1.6 miles of
the Sand Creek mainstem includes the most suitable gravel beds for spawning
observed in the Sand Creek Basin.
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In addition to benefiting federally threatened Oregon Coast coho, the Sand Lake
Wetlands Conservation Project will conserve habitat for sensitive anadromous
fish species associated with Sand Creek. The Sand Lake basin has 8.6 miles of
available habitat for juvenile salmonids as identified in a Rapid Bio-Assessment
completed in 2005. Table 4 below was completed by Bio-Surveys, LLC and
estimates the juvenile salmonid production in Sand Lake from 2002 to 2005 and
indicates that Sand Creek consistently produces juvenile coho, steelhead, and
cutthroat trout as shown in Table 4. As noted in criterion one, the Sand Lake
acquisition includes declining wetland types (50 acres of palustrine emergent and
41 acres of estuarine intertidal emergent) which provide important rearing habitat
for coho salmon.
Table 4: Estimates of Juvenile Salmonid Production in Sand Lake Basin
Survey Year
Coho
0+
Steelhead
Cutthroat
2002
3,675
2,345
155
1,335
2003
2,606
1,215
195
725
2004
6,338
1,005
425
1,260
2005
3,919
1,865
190
1,375
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Table 5: Sensitive Anadromous Fish Species
Sensitive
Anadromous
Fish Species
Conserved by
this Project
Species
Chum salmon
(Oncorhynchus
keta)
Steelhead
(Oncorhynchus
mykiss)
Sea-run coastal
cutthroat trout
(Oregon Coast
ESU)
(Oncorhynchus
clarkii)
Status
State:
sensitive critical
Federal:
species of
concern
State:
sensitive
vulnerable
Federal:
species of
concern
State:
sensitive
vulnerable
Project Benefits
Other Information
The estuarine wetlands
proposed for acquisition
provide feeding habitat for
chum salmon. The
wetlands also indirectly
benefit chum by filtering
contaminants from the
water that enters the bay.
A critical feeding period occurs
for chum salmon fry during
their first month in bays and
estuaries. The young chum
feed mainly on crustaceans in
brackish water (Behnke 2002).
The wetlands proposed for
acquisition afford feeding
opportunities and shelter
to steelhead.
The Oregon Conservation
Strategy (Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife 2005) and
the Oregon Plan for Salmon
and Watersheds*, supported
by federal agencies, specify
the importance of protecting
remaining estuarine habitat for
salmon and steelhead
recovery.
The wetlands proposed for
acquisition provide shelter,
food, and water quality
improvements
for sea-run coastal
cutthroat trout.
Cutthroat adults make
extensive use of estuaries
before migrating upstream
(Behnke 2002).
The project will also protect habitat and water quality for the following estuarinedependent interjurisdictional fish species, many of which are prey for birds:

Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi)

Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax)

Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus)

Threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
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Invertebrates are important food sources for the scores of shorebirds that use
Sand Lake Estuary. Many invertebrate species are sensitive to impaired water
quality (Monaco et al. 1990). Protection of the wetlands that provide detritus to
the sand flats protects the food web of the estuary.
7. Benefits to coastal-dependent or migratory birds
The Sand Lake Wetlands Conservation Project will provide important Estuarine
and freshwater wetland habitat for bird species that occur regularly at the project
site (the parcels proposed for acquisition and the immediately adjacent habitat)
and/or in the project area (Sand Lake and surrounding uplands). According the
North American Waterfowl Management Plan 31% of colonial waterbirds require
estuarine wetlands for nesting while 33% of colonial waterbirds require inland
wetlands for nesting. Furthermore, Sand Lake property will provide critical
foraging habitat for colonial waterbirds 36% of which require estuarine wetlands,
31% near-shore, and 34% freshwater habitats for foraging, all habitats which are
provided by the Sand Lake property. The Sand Lake Estuary also provides key
wintering habitat for waterfowl and critical habitat for a number of threatened or
endangered species in pacific flyway. Many of the species are of high
conservation concern, as identified in national and/or regional bird conservation
plans. Some of the species are USFWS-designated Birds of Conservation
Concern for the Northern Pacific Rainforest Bird Conservation Region (BCR 5).
Information in Table 5 was provided by the American Bird Conservancy (Altman
2008).
Table 5. Avian Benefits
Species
Benefits
Contribution to the Goals
of North American
Waterfowl Plan or Other
Bird Conservation
Initiatives
Mallard
(Anas platyhynchos)
Protection of approximately 42
acres of palustrine forested
wetlands, 100 acres of palustrine
and intertidal emergent wetlands.
North American Waterfowl
Management Plan (High
Priority Species)
Lesser scaup
(Aythya affinis)
acres of palustrine and intertidal
emergent wetlands
Priority Species)
Northern pintail
(Anas acuta)
emergent wetlands
Priority Species)
American widgeon
(Anas Americana)
emergent wetlands
Management Plan
(Moderate/High Priority
Species)
17
Cinnamon teal
(Anas cyanoptera)
emergent wetlands
Management Plan
Species)
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria)
emergent wetlands
Management Plan
Species)
Common goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
emergent wetlands
Management Plan
Species)
Brandt’s cormorant
(Phalacrocorax penicillatus)
acres of year-round palustrine and
intertidal emergent wetland foraging
habitat
US Waterbird Plan (High
Concern Species)
Great-blue heron
(Ardea Herodias)
acres of nesting and year-round
foraging habitat
Northern Pacific Rainforest
Regional Waterbird Plan
(Moderate Concern Species)
Green heron
(Butorides virescens)
acres of nesting and year-round
foraging habitat
Northern Pacific Rainforest
Regional Waterbird Plan
(High Concern Species)
Western sandpiper
(Calidris mauri)
acres of wintering habitat, and
foraging and resting habitat for
migrants
Northern Pacific Coast
Regional Shorebird
Concern Species)
Waterfowl: The Sand Lake Conservation Project is within the planning area of
the Pacific Coast Joint Venture Strategic Plan for Oregon (1996). The project will
contribute to the conservation of waterfowl habitat and waterfowl species through
protection of forested and estuarine wetlands that provide important habitats for
waterfowl. The greatest benefits will be provided to migrating and wintering
waterfowl, although local breeding populations of wood ducks will benefit from
the protection of nesting, brood rearing, and year-round foraging habitat,
especially in the forested wetlands. Additionally, the project’s wetland protections
will directly support and implement provisions of the North American Waterfowl
Management Plan.
Shorebirds: The Sand Lake Wetlands Conservation Project is within the
planning area of the Northern Pacific Coast Regional Shorebird Management
Plan (2000). The plan cites the Sand Lake Estuary as an important shorebird
area. Most Pacific coast shorebirds are long-distance migrants that breed in
Alaska and northern Canada and concentrate in large numbers in a network of
18
small, tidally influenced estuarine wetlands on the Pacific coast. The project will
protect 167 acres of intertidal and freshwater wetland habitat for shorebirds.
Estuarine wetland habitats have been identified as a priority habitat for shorebird
conservation in the Northern Pacific Coast Regional Shorebird Management
Plan. The project will contribute to the Plan’s habitat objectives through
protection of approximately two acres of emergent wetland shorebird habitat. The
Plan specifies the need to “protect important sites through various means,
including acquisition.” Acquisition of Shorebird habitat protected by this project
will contribute to the Northern Pacific Coast Regional Shorebird Management
Plan’s goal of “stabilizing and/or maintaining current levels of wintering and
migrating populations of the more common shorebirds, and measurably
increasing populations of species experiencing population declines.” In addition
to the high priority species in Table 5, other shorebirds that regularly occur in the
general project area include long-billed dowitchers and sanderlings.
Waterbirds: The project is located within the planning area of the Northern
Pacific Coast Draft Waterbird Conservation Plan (2005). One of the primary
objectives identified in the plan, the prevention of wetlands loss, is supported by
the Sand Lake Wetlands Conservation Project. Both freshwater and saltwater
wetland habitats, and some upland habitats, support large numbers of waterbirds
on the northern Oregon coast. This region of Oregon provides migration,
wintering, and breeding habitat for waterbirds. The forested and emergent
wetlands that will be protected by the project benefit a wide range of waterbird
species, including various grebes, gulls, terns, cormorants, herons, and egrets
(Figure 4).
Landbirds: The project area is addressed in two planning documents produced
by Oregon-Washington Partners in Flight (PIF): Conservation Strategy for
Landbirds in Coniferous Forests of Western Oregon and Washington (1999) and
Conservation Strategy for Landbirds in the Lowlands and Valleys of Western
Oregon and Washington (2000). The project area is especially important for early
spring migrant landbirds. Project activities that protect forested wetland habitats
(i.e., riparian habitats) support two biological objectives within the PIF plans: no
net loss of riparian habitats and the maintenance or restoration of greater than 30
percent of the historical extent of riparian habitat.
8. Prevent or reduce contamination
Acquisition of the proposed Sand Lake property will result in a protected,
contiguous wetland buffer between the freshwater wetlands and estuary,
ultimately protecting four at risk plant species and habitat for 11 priority species
as identified by the Oregon Conservation Strategy. North Coast Land
Conservancy is committed to stewardship of the property, including invasive
species removal and debris removal through hosting educational and
stewardship days on the property. A management plan will be developed by the
North Coast Land Conservancy in partnership with the State of Oregon.
19
Acquisition of the Sand Lake property will help prevent potential agricultural
runoff, land development, leaching from septic systems, storm water runoff,
timber harvest, pesticides/fertilizer runoff, oil and gas exploration, sewage
discharge or disposal of toxic materials, and the further degradation of declining
wetland types on the proposed acquisition. These issues have been identified in
the Oregon Nearshore Strategy as factors that are affecting Oregon’s nearshore
habitats.
The wetlands proposed for protection abut a county road and receive runoff from
the road surface and surrounding agricultural uses. The property is currently for
sale and is zoned for three home sites, acquisition will limit the contaminate load
expected from residential development and leaching from three additional
individual septic systems, which would be further exacerbated by the additional
fill and loss of wetland habitat.
The land trust will evaluate the current hydrology associated with the logging
road running south from Galloway Road and the culvert connecting Bradley Bog
and the proposed Sand Lake acquisition. The logging road is now functioning as
a dike in some areas by restricting east-west flow between the logged forested
wetland and the unlogged portions of the Sitka spruce swamp. Restoring
connection between the logged and unlogged forested wetlands will assist in
controlling invasive species and increase hydrological dynamics. The culvert
connecting Bradley Bog appears to restrict flow and thereby reducing
hydrological connection between the two properties. Culvert replacement or the
construction of a bridge would be considered for feasibility and effectiveness.
Additionally, part of the estuary managed by Oregon State Parks is constricted
by a bridge on Whalen Island Road. The bridge constriction churns tidal waters
disrupting the salt water prism. The impacts of the bridge constriction are
deleterious for juvenile coho that have not yet completed their metamorphosis in
the estuary. With NCLC as an owner in the watershed there will be an additional
partner willing to collaborate in solving this problem. As one of Oregon's least
developed estuaries, preservation of ecologically intact native tidal marsh and
forested swamps is of critical importance—making this a truly unique opportunity.
9. Catalyst for future conservation
NCLC uses a landscape-scale approach to conservation within the coastal
bioregion. With a Priority of conserving lands that are currently in a high
functioning ecological condition and have a long term stewardship strategy that is
outright protection with a perpetual guarantee that it will provide ecosystem
services for the people of Oregon and the globe. The goal with this approach is
to secure the parts of coastal systems that are connected and still functioning at
a high ecological level. This approach has not only produced results in the
number of acres protected, but has also been a programmatic vision that NCLC
has been able to share with a wide range of partners. Acquisition is not only a
tool that guarantees conservation through time, but it also guarantees
stewardship and adaptive conservation management in perpetuity. In addition
being a landowner in the local landscape sets the stage for being a credible
20
partner, allowing NCLC to work with adjoining landowners to make a positive
contribution by enhancing their land stewardship practices. NCLC has achieved
great success using this strategy throughout our service area, and has seen that
the results of our direct conservation and engagement of the community are
greater than the original acreage purchased.
In two state defined conservation opportunity areas the the north of Sand Lake,
NCLC has worked for nearly 20 years to piece together ecological corridors that
can effectively protect and deliver ecosystem services. In the Clatsop Plains
NCLC began with a 1 ½ acre acquisition and now through their strategic
partnerships and collaborations, owns or permanently manages over 250 acres
of a rare dune prairie ecosystem that is habitat to the federally threatened
Oregon Silverspot Butterfly. Similarly, in the Necanicum estuary NCLC began by
facilitating the City of Seaside’s purchase of 24 acres of estuarine wetland forest,
and now owns or permanently manages over 500 acres associated with
estuarine habitat, and is currently working with the city and over 20 partners to
create and estuary wide natural history park for the purpose of protecting the
resource and engaging the citizens in long term stewardship of their watershed.
OWEB has been a partner of these past efforts of NCLC’s, along with USFWS,
Federal Scenic Byways, The Nature Conservancy, National Parks, and many
others.
The Sand Lake conservation acquisition is situated within a number of currently
protected parcels (Figure 7). The property completes a conservation corridor
between the freshwater marshes and swamps and the estuary protected at Clay
Myers State Park Natural Area. Expanding the conservation footprint in the Sand
Lake estuary will bring additional agricultural private landowners to consider
conservation opportunities. NCLC’s history of working with a wide variety of
landowners in a respectful and professional way has helped advance
conservation opportunities in other parts of the North Oregon coast and will be
applied here.
21
Figure 7: Ownerships
NCLC GIS Data
10. Partners in conservation
The North Coast Land Conservancy works with a diverse group of partners and
is the primary partner in the proposed acquisition with OWEB. NCLC will involve
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Parks and Recreation
Department, OWEB, USFWS Coastal Program, The Nature Conservancy, U.S.
Forest Service and others to be involved in the development of a stewardship
plan for the property. The property will be managed in a cooperative effort with
22
adjacent conservation ownerships, especially Oregon State Parks, U.S. Forest
Service and The Nature Conservancy.
Oregon State Parks
Oregon State Parks and NCLC will implement a Memorandum of Understanding
between the two parties to address stewardship, maintenance, public access,
and due diligence requirements of the grant application. Oregon State Parks and
NCLC has been working for a number of years together on the acquisition of the
property. Recently, Oregon State Parks hired a natural resource specialist who is
focused on coastal parks and is a member of NCLC’s Stewardship and
Conservation Committee. NCLC will work in tandem with Oregon State Parks to
develop a management plan to steward the property in perpetuity.
Sand Lake County Inn
The local Bed and Breakfast was the first certified green bed and breakfast in the
State of Oregon. They are committed to the protection of the Sand Lake property
and have volunteered to host fundraising dinners on their properties in
conjunction with NCLC. The owners have also expressed interest in hosting
outdoor educational opportunities for the guests along with the local community
on the Sand Lake property, such as bird walks.
North Coast Land Conservancy
The North Coast Land Conservancy is the primary partner with OWEB in the
acquisition of the Sand Lake property. NCLC is committed to developing a
management plan for the property, which is consistent with the goals of the
Coastal Wetlands Program. NCLC will conduct annual site visits on the property
which will ensure active stewardship. Invasive species removal and monitoring,
debris removal, and monitoring of the property will take place an annual basis.
The Nestucca, Neskowin & Sand Lake Watershed Council
The Council has been very active in this watershed and very cooperative as
partners. The council has supplied extensive fish data for the Sand Creek and
Jewell Creek systems that flow across the property under discussion. The Birding
and Blues is an active community group that conducts bird surveys with a focus
on linking the long-term protection of the estuary to the local economy.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy offered their local experience with the estuary system
as a conservation landowner in the area, having managed Bradley Bog for
several years.
The U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service manages forest and recreation lands and has two
dedicated Research Natural Areas in the watershed.
11. Federal share reduced
The Sand Lake Wetlands Conservation Project proposes to use non-federal
funds for half of the total cost, thereby significantly reducing the 75 percent
23
federal funding share in accordance with 50 CFR 84.32(a)(11)(iii)(B), as shown in
Table 8.
Table 8: Reduction in Federal Share Budget Component
Budget
Amount
Total acquisition cost
$675,000
Federal request
$675,000
Required match
$225,000
Actual match
$240,000
12. Education/outreach program or wildlife-oriented recreation
The parcels acquired in the project present exciting opportunities for the North
Coast Land Conservancy to expand its strong education and outreach programs.
The NCLC is well known for the estuary education opportunities it offers
community members and visitors of all ages in the Seaside area. The NCLC
sponsors weekly events (see http://www.nclctrust.org/events.html ) that highlight
the conservation message to the North Oregon Coast visitors and residents.
Access to this property is limited due to its extensive vegetatated wetlands, but
canoeing offers an incredible glimpse into the complexity and biodiversity of a
healthy and connected estuarine rainforest ecology. NCLC has an extensive
outreach and engagement program that we run annually on a monthly basis,
providing natural history programs in the field and stewardship days on our lands,
all free and open to the public. Canoe-based natural history programs and
stewardship days will be a goal of our overall coastal outreach program.
NCLC also hosts stewardship days on their properties with local volunteers and
has a strong relationship with the Tongue Point Job Corps and the Columbia
River Youth Corps who implement stewardship activities on their properties.
These activities not only allow NCLC to meet its stewardship obligations for their
properties but also allows NCLC to provide education and outreach on the
importance of wetlands, landscape connectivity, invasive species removal,
wildlife data collection, and a host of other educational priorities for the land trust.
Generally, stewardship activities are focused on plantings, invasive species
removal, and debris removal. On the proposed acquisition, these activities will
take place on the perimeter of the property and at the high tide mark where
debris accumulates from the tide. Stewardship activities will be hosted in
partnership with other agencies and organizations as well. NCLC has worked
closely with The Nature Conservancy and Oregon State Parks on such activities
and plans to continue to do so at the Sand Lake Estuary. NCLC manages these
activities carefully and generally requires permission for access onto its
24
properties. This type of oversight means that activities on the property will be
consistent with the conservation values of the property. Activities that would
degrade habitat or be inconsistent with the management of the property will not
be allowed. Acquisition of the Sand Lake property will enable NCLC to expand its
outreach opportunities and provide another venue for increasing awareness
about land conservation on the Oregon Coast in the southern reaches of our
service area.
As Oregon’s most pristine estuary, there are unprecedented opportunities for
scientific research similar to those studies that NCLC has participated in on their
Coal Creek and Shangrila properties. NCLC will seek out and make the property
available for scientific research and educational opportunities to advance state
and regional goals towards a better understanding of estuarine habitat
requirements, protection, and restoration.
13. Other factors
Climate Change
The Environmental Protection Agency states the most commonly predicted
affects of climate change on an estuary are sea level rise, increased sea surface
and air temperatures, ocean acidification, and changes in precipitation and storm
intensity. The effects of these changes will be noticeable, if not catastrophic, and
could result in salt water intrusion into aquifers, inundation of coastal wetlands
and marshes, changes in habitat and species distributions, lower oxygen levels
in wetlands, and the possibility of increased erosion from more severe storms
(EPA.com). A report prepared for the Climate Leadership Initiative states that
sea-level rise in Oregon, driven by climate change, “will severely impact low-lying
coastal areas and coastal marshes, estuaries, and beaches are the most at risk”
(Lawler et. al. 2008). Climate change will be further exacerbated by other humaninduced pressures such as development, diking, levees, and other infrastructure
which was intended to protect homes from current sea levels. As a result, private
residents and governments will rush to “save” existing infrastructure around the
United States and the world, resulting in massive spending. Conserving places
such as Sand Lake Estuary will reduce the risk and burden of private and public
entities spending money to protect existing infrastructure by allowing for the
natural adaptation of the land, such as inland migration of wetlands, and
inundation of freshwater wetlands, as the sea level rises. Although future, sitespecific effects of climate change are hard to predict, it is likely that Sand Lake
will serve as a buffer from the future predicted effects of climate change.
Biodiversity
Estuaries are arguably the most impacted and compromised systems on
Oregon’s coast. Their role as the ecological link between marine and freshwater
and terrestrial habitats yields levels of biological productivity unmatched in other
habitats found in Oregon. Recent reports from the IUCN have identified estuaries
as providing the potential to sequester 10-100 times more carbon than forested
habitats. It is truly a rare find to have the opportunity to protect a large, intact
estuarine parcel such as the proposed 167 acre project in the Sand Lake
25
estuary. Simple purchase of this property is a one-time investment that will
provide continuing returns for Oregonians in perpetuity.
The proposed Sand Lake acquisition includes five priority habitats that support
11 priority species. The exceptionally high level of diversity found within the
property is indicative of natural, high-functioning estuarine systems. As the
transition from marine to freshwater and terrestrial habitats, the natural array of
habitats in an estuary provide food and shelter to millions of organisms.
Biodiversity hot spots often exist in transitional zones. The natural transitional
zones found on the proposed site provide an “edge effect” resulting in increased
biodiversity. The Nature Conservancy, as a part of the Pacific Northwest Coast
Ecoregional Assessment, has listed the Sand Lake estuary as having one of the
highest biodiversity values in the State of Oregon.
Plant Communities
The proposed acquisition is composed of five priority habitats and two rare plant
communities. Plant communities are classified and ranked according to the
Oregon Biodiversity Information Center.
Rank is a code identifying the conservation status of the plant association. It is
composed of a global rank ("G") followed by a state rank ("S").
1 = Critically imperiled because of extreme rarity, with 5 or fewer occurrences or
very few remaining acres.
2 = Imperiled because of rarity, with 6-20 occurrences or few remaining acres.
3 = Either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted
range; uncommon, with 21-100 occurrences.
4 = Apparently secure, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially
at the periphery; many occurrences.
5 = Demonstrably secure, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range,
especially at the periphery; ineradicable under present conditions. These
standardized ranks are used by all natural heritage programs and conservation
data centers throughout North America. They are based on the best available
information.
The intertidal salt marsh is dissected by a network of tidal channels encloses a
matrix of plant communities progressing from low to high marsh habitat.
The low marsh is dominated by Lyngby sedge - (saltgrass - arrow grass) - Carex
lyngbyei - (Distichlis spicata - Triglochin maritimum) (G4S4) salt marsh
community.
The high marsh is a network of Lyngby sedge - Pacific silverweed Carex lyngbyei
- Argentina egedii (G4S4), tufted hairgrass - Pacific silverweed-Deschampsia
cespitosa - Argentina egedii (G3G4 S3), tufted hairgrass - Baltic rush
Deschampsia cespitosa - Juncus balticus (G4S4) salt marsh. Tufted hairgrass Pacific silverweed plant community is categorized as very rare and local
throughout its range. In addition, we observed a small population of Henderson’s
sidalcea (Sidalcea hendersonii) with the high marsh habitat. This plant is listed as
G3S1 by the Oregon Biodiversity Information Center meaning that it is globally
either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted
26
range. On a state level, Henderson’s sidalcea is critically imperiled because of
extreme rarity. Federally, this plant is listed as a Species of Concern
Eighty percent of Oregon's salt marshes have been converted to agriculture. As
vital rearing habitat for salmonids, intertidal salt marshes are critical
environments for the completion of the salmonid life cycle.
As elevation rises, the salt marsh transitions into a tidally influenced freshwater
wetland dominated by broad-leaved cattail Typha latifolia (G5S5) with patches of
seacoast bulrush Scirpus maritimus (estuarine association) (G2S2) and threesquare bulrush Scirpus americanus (estuarine association) (G3S2). Both
seacoast and three-square bulrush plant communities are considered very rare
and locally restricted.
The largest plant association found within the proposed acquisition includes a
tidally influenced lowland non-linear forested wetland Sitka spruce swamp. We
have classified this plant community as a Sitka spruce / creek dogwood – Hooker
willow tideland Picea sitchensis / Cornus sericea - Salix hookeriana plant
association (G1G2S1) due to the presence of creek dogwood, touch-met-not
(Impatiens capensis) and tree recruitment dominated by western red cedar
(Thuja plicata). The forested wetlands within the proposed acquisition are within
the zone of daily freshwater tidal inundation. We observed greater than one foot
of standing water during a September site visit. The forested Sitka spruce swamp
envelopes lower, wetter interiors composed of either lowland depressional shrub
wetlands or freshwater marsh and aquatic beds. Jewell Creek, Andy Creek, and
Davis Creek are all linked to their estuarine reaches within the tidally influenced
forested swamp. As each creek empties into Sand Creek water flows through the
forested swamp allowing for further connection to the greater estuary through
tidal channels at high tide. This plant community is considered critically imperiled
because of extreme rarity. Old-growth stands are very rare because most
swamps were readily accessible for logging and suitable sites may never have
been numerous or extensive. Of an estimated 14,000 acres in Oregon in 1850,
about 1,700 remain today, representing an 88 percent loss. Within the lowland
non-linear forested wetland Sitka spruce swamp is a remnant western red cedar
swamp, which was logged with sustainable methods. The 40 acres of logged
forested wetland are recovering well with western red cedar and red alder (Alnus
rubra) dominating the canopy with a thriving native understory.
Lowland depressional shrub wetlands (20 acres) found on the proposed
acquisition site are interspersed along edges and interior pockets of the forested
Sitka spruce swamp. The dominant plant association is classified as Hooker
willow - Oregon crabapple / slough sedge - skunk cabbage, Salix hookeriana Malus fusca / Carex obnupta - Lysichiton americanus (G3S2), plant association
which is considered rare and locally restricted in its range.
Freshwater marsh and aquatic beds (15 acres) include two freshwater ponds.
Slough sedge – Pacific silverweed, Carex obnupta - Argentina egedii (G4S4),
dominate the freshwater marsh.
27
Landscape Connectivity
The matrix of habitats found within the proposed acquisition (e.g., tidal channels,
tributaries, intertidal salt marsh, tidally influenced forested, shrub, and freshwater
wetlands) exist only as a result of adjacent estuarine habitats. Each habitat
supports a host of aquatic and terrestrial species. Nutrients and organic particles
critical to the estuarine food web are continually transported among habitats
through the cyclic movement of tides and currents. Furthermore, water-bound
species that move among habitats for breeding, feeding, and shelter are wholly
dependent on the sustained connectivity between habitats. Funding the proposed
Sand Lake acquisition will protect the connectivity between marine and
freshwater habitats throughout the estuary.
Invasive Species
Invasive species populations are mainly associated with the logged forested
wetland, road edges, and perimeter of the residential property enclosed on the
north side of the proposed project. English holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Scotch
broom (Cytisus scoparius) are present along edges and openings. In addition,
the transition zone between tidal and freshwater marsh support patches of yellow
flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea).
Invasive species removal would be implemented with a priority placed on
ecosystem-altering species according to NCLC's invasive species policy.
28
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS/TIE-BREAKERS
Is the habitat imminently threatened?
X
Yes
No
Residential construction is encroaching on the lowlands of Sand Lake Estuary.
As lands change from agriculture to residential/recreational use there will be
increasing pressure to develop lands adjacent to the estuary.
Does the site have unique and significant diversity?
X Yes
No
The parcels proposed for acquisition contain a unique mix of freshwater and
estuarine wetlands and provide direct benefits to a wide range of wetland
dependent species. Bald eagles, beavers, migratory birds, and other wildlife are
dependent on the freshwater forested, emergent, shrub and estuarine wetlands.
Refer to Criteria 5 (Conservation of threatened and endangered species), 6
(Benefits to fish), and 7 (Benefits to coastal-dependent or migratory birds).
What are the costs per acre?
It will cost approximately $4,041 per acre to acquire the proposed parcels.
Are there new sources of funds, lands, or services being applied to this
project?
X
Yes
No
What percentage of the funds, lands, or services is new? 100%
H. Description of State Fund:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has previously determined that Oregon’s
constitutionally dedicated state Lottery funds for salmon and watershed
conservation make the state eligible for a federal cost-share of 75 percent for the
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.
I. Other Conservation Actions and Their Relationship to This Project:
The Sand Lake Estuary presents an important opportunity for multiple interests to
share a common goal of protecting the estuary functions. The significant amount
of public ownership in the watershed and the key conservation ownerships of
coastal wetland features (Bradley Bog, Whalen Island) and dedicated protection
of two Research Natural Areas (Sand Lake RNA and Renecke Creek RNA)
provide an important framework for long-term conservation. Conservation
29
acquisition of this parcel will create strong links between the estuary and the
adjacent freshwater wetlands and uplands.
30
Appendix I: Maps
31
32
33
Appendix II: Additional Bird Species List
 Mallard Mallard
 Northern Pintail
 Green-Winged Teal
 Surf Scoter
 White-winged Scoter
 Bufflehead
 Hooded Merganser
 Common Merganser
 Great Blue Heron
 Great Egret
 Osprey
 Bald Eagle
 Least Sandpiper
 Dunlin
 Long-billed Dowitcher
 Ring-billed Gull
 Western Gull
 Glaucous-winged Gull
 Caspian Tern
 Eurasian Collared-Dove
 Rufous Hummingbird
 Northern Flicker
 Steller's Jay
 American Crow
 Common Raven
 Tree Swallow
 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
 Marsh Wren
 Golden-crowned Kinglet
 American Robin
 European Starling
 Orange-crowned Warbler
 Common Yellowthroat
 Savannah Sparrow
 Fox Sparrow
 Song Sparrow
 White-crowned Sparrow
 Dark-eyed Junco
 Red-winged Blackbird
 Brown-headed Cowbird
 Purple Finch
 Northern Pintail
 Green-Winged Teal
 Surf Scoter
 White-winged Scoter
 Bufflehead
34
Appendix III: Pictures
Northern sea lion in tidal channel on Sand Lake
NCLC’s Neal Maine traversing high intertidal salt marsh
35
High intertidal salt marsh with Scirpus maritimus patch
Swallowtail caterpillar in tidally influenced freshwater wetland
High intertidal salt marsh transitioning into tidally influenced freshwater wetland
36
Lowland non-linear forested wetland
37
Lowland non-linear
forested wetland
38
39
Appendix IV: Letters of Commitment
40
Appendix V: References
41
Behnke, R. J. 2002. Trout and Salmon of North America. Simon and Schuster,
New York, New York.
Bio-Surveys, LLC. 2005. Rapid Bio-Assessment 2004. Final Report (2002-2004).
Report prepared for Nestucca/Neskowin Watershed Council. 72.
Boule, M.E. and K.F. Bierly. 1987. History of estuarine wetland development and
alteration: What have we wrought? Northwest Environmental Journal 3(1):
43-62.
Dahl, T.E. 2006. Status and trends of wetlands in the conterminous United States
1998 to 2004. U.S. Department of the Interior; Fish and Wildlife Service,
Washington, D.C. 112 pp.
Diefenderfer, H.L. and D.R. Montgomery. 2009. Pool spacing, Channel
Morphology, and the Restoration of Tidal Forested Wetlands of the
Columbia River, U.S.A. Restoration Ecology. Vol. 17(1):158-168.
Drut, M. S. and J. B. Buchanan. 2000. Northern Pacific Coast Regional Shorebird
Management Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon.
Good, J.W. 2000. Summary and Current Status of Oregon's Estuarine
Ecosystems. Chapter 3, Section 2, pages 33-44 IN: Oregon State of the
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SAND LAKE ESTUARY WETLAND ACQUISITION

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