Puget Sound Innovation Stories

Lyre Conservation Area

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 6

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT: 24

WRIA: 18

CITY, COUNTY: Dungeness, Clallam County

Project Summary

The Western Strait of Juan de Fuca, a migratory corridor for Puget Sound salmon, is characterized by small pocket estuaries and high-energy beaches. The Lyre River nearshore, estuary and Nelson Creek tributary are critical links in the dynamic Strait of Juan de Fuca migratory corridor. Protecting the Lyre River estuary and Nelson Creek tributary ensures the protection of vital feeding, spawning and sheltered areas for migrating Chinook, chum and pink salmon, and cutthroat trout. Protection and restoration included the estuary at the mouth of the Lyre River, the confluence with Nelson Creek tributary, streams, tideflats, kelp beds, ½ mile of Strait of Juan de Fuca shoreline, wetlands, and a large, diverse upland forest.

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Main photo: Patrick Downs; Above photo: John Gussman

Key Actions

Protection and restoration of 280 acres of diverse habitat and one half mile of Strait of Juan de Fuca shoreline

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Photo: Ken Campbell

Benefits

  • Provides a critical link for numerous species of Puget Sound salmon by protecting the Strait of Juan de Fuca migratory corridor
  • Largely intact estuary from the Olympic mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca is protected through acquisition
  • Protected habitat is ideal for several salmon species and a variety of migratory and resident birds and wildlife
  • Public access makes this an ideal spot for non-motorized daytime activities like bird and wildlife viewing, surfing, picnicking, fishing and beach walking.
  • The North Olympic Land Trust will maintain the acquired properties, keeping with the standards set by the National Association of Land Trusts

Project Partners

  • Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
  • Makah Tribe
  • North Olympic Land Trust
  • Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
  • Washington Recreation and Conservation Office
  • Coastal Watershed Institute
  • Marine Shoreline Protection fund
  • Puget Sound Acquisition & Restoration (PSAR) Fund
  • Estuary & Salmon Restoration Program

State Funding: $3,484,643, with $2,937,836 contribution from PSAR funds

More Info

Publish Date: August 28, 2017
Category: Nearshore | Estuaries | Salmon
Congressional Districts: Congressional Dist. 6
Legislative Districts: Legislative Dist. 24
Counties: Clallam
WRIA: WRIA 18