What land has already been purchased and why?
The Salmon Center currently owns 5 parcels just South of Theler Center. This is the site where the Center was originally going to be built. Eventually, all of these contiguous parcels will be traded as partial payment for the Johnson Farm, the site where the Center will be built.
How much land will be purchased now?
We have an option to purchase 90 acres of land known as the Johnson Farm. We hope to finalize the purchase by the end of 2008.
Why do we need a Salmon Center?
The preservation of Wild Salmon is directly linked to the preservation of other life and ecosystems. The Salmon Center will promote public knowledge and enhance appreciation for the value of Wild Salmon. The center will facilitate a better understanding of ecosystem health through leading-edge research, interactive education, accessible information, unique displays, environmental seminars and an annual celebration of the Wild Salmon Hall of Fame.
Why should the Salmon Center be built here?
Hood Canal is a geographically unique area. It is centrally located with both freshwater and marine habitat. There is easy access to several major government research related facilities. The 90-acre Salmon Center site is an unmatched location for such a facility and is a valuable, irreplaceable and unique site to preserve. It will offer us a great new window on Hood Canal.
What will the Salmon Center look like?
The Center will be built in phases with buildings in a campus-like setting. The Center will begin operations using the homes, garages and barn that are currently on the site, and grow with the community as we learn more about our needs and what works. There will be a demonstration salmon spawning stream with a viewing area and lots of open space. Some current thoughts include space for a small theater, art displays, food service and more walking trails. The construction will be environmentally sound and fit with the beautiful location at the foot of Hood Canal. We look forward to hearing more from the community as they visualize the future of the Salmon Center in 10, 20, 50 years.
What are the benefits to having the center built here?
We anticipate it contributing to the job market in Belfair by employing from 17 to 30 people. It will contribute greatly to bringing back the vitality of Wild Salmon and hopefully play a role in the important dissolved oxygen studies curently taking place in the Hood Canal. The center will be a source of education for our local students and adults, as well as for visitors from throughout the region. It will serve as a destination for the many people who already visit our area. Visitors will also learn the history of Wild Salmon, their fascinating adventure and the importance of keeping their environment clean in order to keep them around for future generations.
Are any of the wetland or trail areas in danger of being contaminated or destroyed?
No. In fact, we are developing a plan that preserves the wetlands by adding acreage and restoring 40 acres to its original state of salt marsh. When the dikes are breached, bridges will be constructed to preserve access to popular wetland trails. When complete, existing trails and new trails on the Johnson property will be joined as a new round-trip path.
Will there be salmon runs in ten or twenty years?
One of our goals is to support work to increase wild salmon runs over the next 10 - 20 years.
Section 4f of the Endangered Species Act requires that recovery plans be prepared for listed species. It envisions such plans as the central organizing tool for guiding the recovery process. Whether there will be salmon runs will depend on work done at research sites such as the Salmon Center.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service has various salmon recovery plans that are underway throughout the Northwest.
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the Wild Salmonid Policy in December of 1997 to protect the state's wild salmonids, which include salmon, steelhead and trout. The ongoing effort ensures that enough fish from each wild stock survive the hooks and nets arrayed from Alaska to Oregon to produce the next generation.
In December 2005, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire introduced a legislative package to fund the state's "2005-2007 Puget Sound Conservation and Recovery" plan. The proposed $42 million dollars comes from existing and available revenue sources and will be used to: clean up toxic sites; prevent oil spills and continuing toxic contamination; restore near-shore, estuary and salmon habitats; help homeowners with Sound clean-up and make state parks and other state facilities more environmentally sound, beginning with wastewater and sewer projects at six marine state parks.
How will the Center pay for the land and construction of the buildings?
The Salmon Center has received $194,000 in local donations, including $50,000 from an anonymous donor for the original design, $491,000 from the State for land purchase and $25,000 towards the feasibility study from the state's Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and the USDA Forest Service, and a $1,000,000 State appropriation, with $515,000 going to property acquisition and $470,000 for design.
Additional funding for the land purchase and design and construction of the center will be paid for by donations and grants from foundations, state and federal agencies and individual contributors.
What is the Theler Board's role in this project?
We are working with Theler, the School District, and Fish and Wildlife to ensure that everyone with a common interest in the existing trails participates in our processes.
Why does the Center need 90 acres of land?
The land will provide a wonderful site for the Salmon Center and our research and recreational activities. Forty acres of this site was originally salt marsh, diked many years ago, and can now be returned to original salt and freshwater wetlands. The estuary supports sustaining populations of Chinook, chum, Coho, sturgeon, and cutthroat. The opportunity to buy and preserve this site allows us to build a legacy institution for the community.
What will the land be used for?
It is our intention to not only restore habitat but also increase the recreational use of the portion of the trail system that currently follows the Johnson Dikes. The current 3,500 feet of dike and trails will not be removed. Bridges will be built in locations to allow estuarine function back into the saltmarsh. Fill will only be removed where necessary to allow the wetlands to return to its original state. During the reconstruction, a new alternate trail will be put in place for public use that will become another loop trail within the existing system and take the community through the future PNWSC facility. Bridges and pile-supported walkways will be built over the breached portions of the dike. When complete, there will be a loop trail making use of both the old and new routes on the Johnson property. The existing buildings on the East side of Roessel Road will be for administration, storage, education or other PNWSC functions. New buildings will house the exhibit area, research labs, and other center functions. Additionally, multiple storm water retention ponds will handle runoff for the Belfair Urban Growth Area, treating the water prior to releasing it into the estuary.
What is the difference between the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center and the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group?
The HCSEG is one of 14 state-funded Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups in the state. The RFEG's work within their own communities to restore salmon populations and habitat. There is only one PNWSC and our goal is research and education. The development of the Salmon Center is one of the goals of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group. Three lifetime members of the HCSEG (Jerry Manuel, Peter Grimm and Al Adams) along with attorney John Burgess, formed the vision of establishing a non-profit corporation with a mission to enhance the knowledge of and appreciation for Wild Salmon of the Pacific Northwest.
How is the Salmon Center going to aide in the sustainability of fisheries?
The mission of the Salmon Center is to preserve Wild Salmon. One of our goals is to support work to increase wild salmon runs over the next 10 - 20 years, which in turn will promote a healthy population for fishing.
Updated May 2008
