A Vision for Strawberry Bay (Cypress Island, WA)
Strawberry Bay is a rare place - a pristine freshwater marsh, beach and coastal embayment.
DNR plans to to fundamentally convert the habitat by excavating a channel through the marsh and beach, into the bay. They also plan to remove historical structures by dragging them across the marsh on a constructed corridor.
Residents are concerned about impacts, both during construction and long-term. This is a forum for sharing information. Is there a less destructive, less costly, more sustainable approach?
DNR's Proposed Plan
The WA Dept of Natural Resources (DNR) Natural Areas Program manages the majority of Strawberry Bay and Cypress Island as a Natural Resource Conservation Area (NRCA).
In 2023, DNR started sharing plans with residents to remove human structures by dragging them across the marsh on a constructed corridor. DNR also plans to dredge a channel through the marsh, beach and nearshore, in order to convert the habitat into a saltwater marsh and channel. Residents have major concerns about impacts, which are described by DNR and Herrera as restoration.
Most recent documents from DNR (July 1, 2023)
Maps / illustrations (DNR file name 'JARPA')
Draft Wetland and Stream Report
Concept meeting with residents (Feb 2023)
Meeting notes (attendee list and minutes incomplete)
DNR has committed to reach out to stakeholders for input. DNR contact: Paul McFarland
Questions and Concerns
Historical documents show that the freshwater marsh and beach have existed in their present form for centuries. Given known historical conditions, DNR's proposal risks multiple impacts: 1) pristine marsh degradation through dragging structures across it; 2) habitat conversion to saltwater marsh through breaching of the natural beach and berm; 3) beach and shallow subtidal habitat degradation through channel dredging. Are there lower impact ways to remove the structures? Are these impacts to pristine habitat worth the benefit and associated cost?
Residents are concerned that the proposed channel dredging would degrade the wetland, beach and nearshore, including protected eelgrass and kelp habitats that support many valued species. Modification of intertidal and nearshore geomorphology often leads to changes in sediment dynamics and currents. Residents are concerned about unintended impacts. Modeling is needed. How will DNR explore potential impacts?
DNR stated their objective is to create a channel that will be "maintenance free" (Feb meeting). However, Strawberry Bay is exposed to large waves, with a long fetch to the south, shown by the steep beach and large backshore logs. Every winter, the residents' small landing area is buried in logs and sediment, moved by intensive waves. Has DNR examined maintenance plans and costs?
How would constructing a channel through the marsh, beach and nearshore support DNR's habitat protection goals?' At other sites, where pocket estuaries have been altered by development, restoration is appropriate. However, evidence shows that Strawberry Bay is in its natural form and regional plans prioritize protection of this site.
Historical Condition of Marsh and Beach
Strawberry Bay has been recognized for centuries as a special place.
In 1792, George Vancouver visited Strawberry Bay on the HMS Discovery. He noted the freshwater marsh and the unique manner in which it percolated through the beach into the bay:
"... the sea side is occupied by low marshy land through which are several small runs of most excellent water that find their way into the bay by oozing through the beach."
A century later, in 1886, the US Coast Survey survey depicted the marsh and continuous beach, an image very similar to today (right).
In 2012, this site was identified as a priority for protection in its current intact state by the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (segment 7121).
Comments
What do you think the priorities should be for Strawberry Bay?
What information do we need to guide decision-making?
Would you like to meet with DNR or others?
Please share your thoughts. If you have photos, information or observations to share, email them a brief description to strawberrybay999@gmail.com They will be posted to this web site.
Comments documents (click to open)
Alternative Proposal by Alan Clarey (Sept 2023)
Open letter on subcomittee formation and highlights of DNR Plan (Oct 16 2023)
Sea Gate Lease Option by Alan Clarey (December 2023)
MCI Eastern Entrance to the NRCA by Alan Clarey (December 2023)
Proposal for DNR Structure Removal - Option 1 by Alan Clarey (December 2023)
Proposal for DNR Structure Removal - Option 2 by Alan Clarey (December 2023)