WASHINGTON: NISQUALLY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
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Site Location and Description
The Nisqually River Delta is a biologically rich and diverse area at the southern end of the Puget Sound that supports a variety of habitats, including woodlands, and fresh and saltwater marshes. Together with the McAllister and Red Salmon Creeks, the Nisqually River forms one of the largest remaining undisturbed estuaries in Washington.
Ecological Values
The Black River unit, is a mosaic of forest, wetlands, bogs and the slow-moving Black River, is one of the largest undisturbed freshwater wetland systems in Puget Sound. The Black River is a tributary of the Chehalis River, the second largest watershed in Washington. The corridor along the Black River is one of the largest contiguous natural areas remaining in Thurston County.
Public Use and Benefits to the Community
The public uses of the Black River for recreation, fishing and wildlife viewing purposes. One of this area's virtues is that it is relatively untouched by significant public uses. Most traffic comes in the way of kayaks and canoeists taking advantage of this near pristine setting in an otherwise developed county. Several local schools and community groups have been involved with the cleaning and stewardship of this area.
Threats
The primary threats to this area are industrial, commercial and residential development. A proposal to expand an existing gravel mine, including the development of an asphalt plant, threatened not only the ecological integrity of this area but also would have set a bad precedent for the further development of the Black River corridor. Specifically expanding this gravel pit would threaten water quality and quantity, air quality, and resident and migratory habitat value. Fortunately, the local Black Hills Audubon chapter stopped the mine expansion and asphalt plant and is now working with local officials on new mining regulations for the county.
Acquisition Status
The Black River Unit of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 and the authorized refuge boundary encompasses approximately 3,800 acres. The Unit could grow to this size if landowners are willing to sell and there is enough money to acquire it. Approximately 800 acres have been acquired to date. The Nature Conservancy has helped secure land for the refuge. For example, the Nature Conservancy bought the former Weiks Dairy and kept the 189 acres between 110th Avenue and 123rd Avenue from becoming a 60-home development. A FY06 Land and Water Conservation Fund allotment of $1 million is requested for this project.
Public Support
A strong and diverse partnership is developing to work together to protect the Black River watershed; partners include Black Hills Audubon Society, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, The Nature Conservancy, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington Conservation Corps, Ducks Unlimited, Capitol Land Trust, Thurston County, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Chehalis Tribe, Chehalis Basin Partnership and many others.
Habitat
Woodlands
Forests
Freshwater marsh
Saltwater marsh
Species
Olympic mud minnow
Oregon spotted frog
Otter
Mink
Black bear
Deer
Salmon
Steelhead trout
Cutthroat trout
Coho salmon
Chinook salmon
American widgeon
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