|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
November 29, 2007
Contact: Keith Folkerts
Phone: (360) 337-7098
No. 07-83
Kitsap County and Suquamish Tribal Council to co-host
celebration of acquiring vital Chico Estuary waterfront open space, Dec. 5,
1 – 1:30 PM
PORT
ORCHARD, WA—Restoring lower Chico Creek – the heavily impacted
section of the most productive salmon stream in Kitsap County – is the goal
behind the recent acquisition by Kitsap County of more than 670 feet of
vital shoreline on the Chico Creek Estuary.
A celebration of the $500,000 purchase will be hosted by Kitsap County and
the Suquamish Tribal Council on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 1 – 1:30 PM at 4300 Kitty
Hawk Drive NW, Bremerton WA. (Driving directions: from State Highway 3 take
the Chico Way Exit, turn south on Chico Way (1/2 mile), turn left on Erlands
Point Road (1/2 mile), turn left on Kitty Hawk Dr NW. Parking available
along the side of the road)
The Suquamish Tribal Council – that provided the final $160,000 needed for
the purchase – will announce the new name for the Chico Estuary waterfront
at the event. The Washington state Recreation and Conservation Office
provided another $160,000, and $180,000 came in the form of a landowner
donation from Cascade Evergreen.
“Already the home to Kitsap County’s most productive salmon stream, through
our perseverance and continued stewardship, Chico Creek can become the
environmental jewel of Central Puget Sound,” Kitsap County Board of County
Commissioners Chair Josh Brown said.
The 3.23 acre parcel – 2.69 acres upland and .54 acres in tide flats – will
be managed by Kitsap County primarily for its excellent salmon and shellfish
habitat, and it is a key parcel for the long-term vision of restoring the
entire lower Chico Creek that would include removal of roads, culverts and
new bridge on State Highway 3.
|
